Early County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Early County Courthouse
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Courthouse Sq., Blakely, Georgia |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Georgia County Courthouses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001015 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1980 |
The Early County Courthouse, also known as the Grand Ole Lady, is an important historic building in Early County, Georgia. It stands on Courthouse Square in Blakely, Georgia, which is the main town for the county. This beautiful building was finished in 1904. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1980, which means it's recognized as a special place in history. It's also part of the Blakely Court Square Historic District, another historic area listed in 2002.
A Look Back in Time
Early County was officially started in 1818. Blakely became its county seat, or main town, in 1825. The very first courthouse for Early County was a simple log building. People started using it in 1827. This log building was later sold for just $13 and moved away. This made room for the second courthouse. That second building was a two-story wooden structure built in 1834.
The county's third courthouse was built between 1857 and 1858. It cost $4,650 to build. This building was also sold, for $155, to make way for the courthouse we see today. The old third courthouse was described as being very unsafe and falling apart. People really wanted a new, modern building. The idea for a new courthouse was very exciting for the community. A group called the grand jury suggested building a new courthouse. In 1905, the Early County News newspaper praised the plans for the new building. They said it would be "the handsomest structure of its kind in Southern Georgia." They also felt it would show how successful Early County was. The architects who designed this impressive building were Thomas Henry Morgan and John Robert Dillon.
What Does It Look Like?
The Early County Courthouse is two and a half stories tall. Its outside walls are made of brick. Inside, the main public areas have shiny marble floors. The building is designed in the Neoclassical style. This style looks back to the grand buildings of ancient Greece and Rome. The courthouse is surrounded by smaller buildings, green grass, and tall trees. This area is a nice spot for people to relax and for community events.
The courthouse has a special cross shape. Each of its four sides has four large columns. These columns are made of solid granite from Georgia. They support the covered entrances, called porticoes, that face Courthouse Square. The courthouse also has a low, rounded dome on top. This dome is in the Beaux-Arts style, which is known for its fancy and detailed designs.
Unique Features Outside
On the courthouse square, there is a very old wooden flagpole. It was put up in 1861. This flagpole is believed to be the only original flagpole from the Confederate era still standing. It was made from a tall pine tree found about a mile from Blakely. Today, the American flag, the Stars and Stripes, flies from this 100-foot-tall pole.
The courthouse square also has a special monument dedicated to the peanut. It's carved in stone and sits on a pedestal. This monument shows how important peanuts are to the farms and economy of this region. Peanuts have been a very important crop for Early County for a long time.
