Jefferson County Courthouse (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jefferson County Courthouse
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Front of the courthouse
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 E. Washington St., Charles Town, West Virginia |
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| Built | c. 1836 |
| Architect | Phillips and Cockrill (1871) A.B. Mullett (1910) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001910 |
| Added to NRHP | July 10, 1973 |
The Jefferson County Courthouse is a historic building located in Charles Town, West Virginia, USA. This important building is famous for being the location of two very significant trials. In 1859, John Brown, a well-known abolitionist, faced serious legal charges here. Later, in 1922, coal miners from Mingo County, West Virginia who were involved in the Battle of Blair Mountain also had their trials moved to this courthouse.
What Does the Courthouse Look Like?
The Jefferson County Courthouse is a red brick building. It is built in the Georgian style, which is a classic architectural design. A large porch with four strong Doric columns stands at the front.
The building also has a unique clock tower. This tower has a square dome that looks a bit like buildings from the Second Empire style. The courthouse sits on a tall stone base and faces a small yard. A metal fence surrounds this yard.
Over the main floor windows and front door, you can see smaller versions of the porch's triangular top. There is also a metal balcony that sticks out on the upper level. Later additions to the building, designed by Alfred B. Mullett, match the original style well.
A Look Back: The Courthouse's History
The very first courthouse on this spot was built in 1803. The land for it was given by Charles Washington. Sadly, this first building was destroyed in a fire.
The current courthouse was built to replace it in 1836–37. This new building included the large Doric porch we see today. During the American Civil War, the courthouse was badly damaged by cannon fire. From 1865 to 1872, the building was empty. Court sessions were held in Shepherdstown at McMurran Hall instead.
In 1871–72, the courthouse was rebuilt by Phillips and Cockrill. They kept the front of the building but changed most of the rest. A very large cupola, or small dome, was added on top of the porch to hold the town clock. In 1910, Alfred B. Mullett designed an extension at the back. Later, more additions were made in the Georgian Revival style, which included a jail and offices for the sheriff.
Famous Trials Held Here
Two of the most famous trials in American history took place at this courthouse.
The first was the trial of John Brown in 1859. Brown was an abolitionist who fought against slavery. He was charged with serious crimes against the state of Virginia, including trying to start a rebellion to free enslaved people. His captured friends were also tried at the same time. All of them were found responsible and faced severe consequences.
The second famous trial involved coal miners from Mingo County, West Virginia. These miners had been part of the Battle of Blair Mountain, a major conflict over workers' rights. Their trials were moved to Jefferson County to ensure fairness. Eventually, these trials were moved again to Morgan County and then to Greenbrier County.
