Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District
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Bedford County Courthouse in Shelbyville
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| Location | Public Square (Main, Spring, Depot, and Holland Sts.), Shelbyville, Tennessee |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001725 |
| Added to NRHP | October 27, 1982 |
The Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District is a special area in Shelbyville, Tennessee, that has been recognized for its history. It's built around the main square where the Bedford County Courthouse stands. This area is important because of its unique design and the many historical events that happened there.
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The Shelbyville Square Design
The courthouse square was first planned in 1810. It was a central block surrounded by four streets. Other city blocks of the same size were built around it. Shops and businesses quickly opened on the streets facing the courthouse. Land closest to the square was very valuable.
This special layout is known as the "Shelbyville square" or "Shelbyville plan." It became a model for many other town squares. This design was used in towns across southern Middle Tennessee, the southeastern United States, the American Midwest, and Texas during the 1800s.
History of the Courthouse Buildings
Over time, five different courthouse buildings have stood on the Shelbyville square.
Early Courthouses
The first courthouse was finished in 1810. A new one replaced it just three years later, in 1813. However, a powerful tornado destroyed this second courthouse on May 31, 1830.
The third courthouse was completed in 1833. It stood until 1863, during the American Civil War. Confederate Army forces were in Shelbyville at the time. The courthouse was accidentally burned down during their occupation.
Later Courthouses
The county's fourth courthouse was built in 1873. In 1934, this building was also burned down. This happened when a group of people were upset because a young African-American man, who they wanted to harm, had been moved to another county for his safety.
The building you see today is Bedford County's fifth courthouse. It was designed in 1935 by the Nashville firm of Marr and Holman. This building has a Classical Revival style, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
Architecture Around the Square
The buildings around the Shelbyville Courthouse Square show different styles of architecture. Many of the older commercial buildings have Italianate and Romanesque designs. These styles often feature rounded arches and decorative details.
A more modern building, the Gunter Building, was built in 1927 on the west side of the square. It is designed in the Art Deco style. This style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s and often includes geometric shapes and sleek lines.
National Recognition
The Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
