Perry County Courthouse (Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Perry County Courthouse
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Courthouse Square, Linden, TN |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Clarence Kelley Colley; Bell Bros. & Co. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000339 |
| Added to NRHP | March 30, 1995 |
The Perry County Courthouse is a special historic building in Linden, Tennessee. It is located in Perry County, Tennessee. This courthouse was built in 1928. It replaced an older courthouse that was sadly destroyed by fire. Courthouses are important places where local government works and legal decisions are made.
Contents
What is a Courthouse?
A courthouse is a building where courts of law meet. It is also where many important government offices are located. In a county, the courthouse is often the center of local government. People go there for many reasons. They might go to register to vote or to get a marriage license. It is also where trials happen and judges make decisions.
A Look Back: Early Courthouses
The current courthouse in Linden is not the first one. Perry County has had several courthouses over the years. Each one tells a part of the county's history.
The First Log Cabin Courthouse
The very first courthouse in Linden was a simple log cabin. It was built around 1845. This happened after Decatur County was created. Before that, Perry County was much larger. When the new county was formed, Linden became the main town, or "county seat," for Perry County. This meant it needed a courthouse.
The Second Courthouse and the Civil War
The log cabin courthouse was used for a few years. Then, in 1849 or 1850, a new building was constructed. This was a two-story building made of wood. It served the county for over a decade. However, during the American Civil War, this second courthouse faced a sad end. Soldiers from the Union Army burned it down on May 12, 1863. This was a difficult time for many communities.
The Current Courthouse
After the second courthouse was destroyed, it took some time to build a new one. The courthouse we see today was built in 1928. It stands as a symbol of the county's history and its future.
Its Design and Builders
The Perry County Courthouse was designed by an architect named Clarence Kelley Colley. Another company, Bell Bros. & Co., also helped with the design. The building has a style called Colonial Revival. This style often looks back to the designs of early American buildings. It features things like tall columns and grand entrances.
A National Treasure
Because of its history and architecture, the Perry County Courthouse is very special. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The National Register is a list of places across the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the building. It also makes sure future generations can learn from and enjoy it.
