Jackson County Courthouse (North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jackson County Courthouse
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Jackson County Courthouse from Main Street
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Street, Sylva, North Carolina |
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| Area | 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Smith & Carrier |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | North Carolina County Courthouses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001727 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1979 |
The Jackson County Courthouse is a really old and important building in Sylva, North Carolina. It's where the local government for Jackson County, North Carolina used to make big decisions. This historic courthouse was designed by a team called Smith & Carrier. It was built in 1913. That's when Sylva became the main town, or "county seat," for Jackson County, taking over from Webster.
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The Historic Courthouse Building
The Jackson County Courthouse sits on top of a hill. To reach its front entrance, you have to climb 107 steps from the street below! This building has two stories and is built in a style called Classical Revival. It also has a cool, three-part tower on its roof called a cupola.
Why Sylva Got a New Courthouse
The courthouse was built because a man named C. J. Harris wanted the county's main office, the "county seat," to move from Webster to Sylva. Webster had been the county seat since 1851. People voted, and Sylva won! As part of the deal, Mr. Harris helped build this new courthouse. He made sure it cost no more than $30,000. The design of this building was inspired by the Madison County Courthouse in Marshall, North Carolina.
Changes Over the Years
This courthouse was used as the main county building from 1914 until 1994. That's when a new building, the Justice Center, was built. The old courthouse had some changes over time. In 1950, a third floor was added, and four new windows were put in. The building was changed again in 1969. Its red bricks were painted white, and a clock was added to the dome. Also, the tall pine trees that used to hide the building were removed.
A New Purpose for the Old Site
In 2007, the old courthouse site was chosen for the new Jackson County Public Library. This meant some older buildings on the site had to be taken down. The jail from 1963 was removed first. Then, the very first jail from 1913 was taken down in 2009. This made space for the new library to begin construction. The Jackson County Courthouse was recognized as an important historical place in 1979. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Old Jails of Jackson County
The first jail in Jackson County was quite small, about the size of a house. It served as the main jail for many years. Later, in 1963, a bigger red brick jail was built next to it. Both of these jails had two floors. They were connected by a smaller office area.
When the Jails Were Replaced
These older jails were no longer used around the year 2000. A new, more modern facility was built. Both the 1913 and 1963 jails were later taken down. This happened to make room for the construction of the new Jackson County Public Library.
New Jackson County Public Library and Restoration
Construction for the new library started in 2009. It's a large, two-story building that is about 20,000 square feet. This new library is being built right onto the back of the old courthouse. It will connect to the courthouse with a big glass-roofed area called an atrium. This new library is a big improvement. It replaces a much smaller, one-story library that was built in 1970. That old library was only 6,000 square feet.
Restoring the Historic Courthouse
The old courthouse itself is also being restored. It will become home to several important groups. These include the Jackson County Genealogical Society, the Arts Council, and the Historical Society. The old courtroom in the courthouse will become an Auditorium. The building is getting new windows and doors as part of its restoration.
Dome and Grand Opening
The famous dome and clock tower on top of the building have been removed a few times for repairs. It was taken off in 2010 and put back in 2011. It was also removed in 1969 and 1994. The whole building complex was planned to open in May 2011, with a big celebration in June. Most of the construction was finished by early 2011.
Images for kids
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Jackson County Courthouse from Main Street
