County of building: Dickson County
Location of building: Court Square, right in the middle, Charlotte
Year Built: 1833
Architect: Doughtery & Gardner
Current Occupant: County Courthouse
"#7. Dickson County Courthouse (Public Square)-1806 site; 1833, two-story brick
building with wings added to each end." ~ NRHP Nominatin Form
"Most of the present historic buildings date from the 1830s since a tornado of that
year leveled all but two structures in the town, including the first courthouse. Residents and property owners quickly rebuilt the courthouse and
other building on the remaining foundations.
"Dickson County Courthouse (7) is the oldest remaining courthouse in Tennessee still in
use. It is one of seven courthouses built before the Civil War to have survived with
varying degrees of alterations.
"On May 30, 1830, a violent tornado struck Charlotte and almost completely destroyed the
town. Among the casualties were the courthouse and jail, both completely demolished. Court sessions were held in the schoolhouse until a new courthouse could be built. In
1831 a tax was levied and George Smith, John Montgomery, John W. Napier, Abram Caldwell,
Minor Bibb, Molton Dickson, William Hogins, and Augustine Roberts were appointed commissioners
to agree on a plan for the second courthouse. The present building was erected
on the foundation of the original courthouse. The jail was rebuilt with materials from
the former courthouse, and the new courthouse was completed in 1833 by Phillip Murry,
the builder. In 1834 a fence was erected, the old wall repaired, stone steps built to each door, and shade trees planted around the public square.
"The rectangular shaped, two-story brick structure had four rooms downstairs and a
courtroom upstairs. There were identical entrances on each of the four sides with
halls crossing in the center of the building. The roof was crowned with a bell tower
and cupola. These original features remain.
"As years passed the courthouse needed repairs and the court meeting in 1830 appropriated
130,000 for repairing, improving, and enlarging the original building. Several changes
were made to the courthouse when wings were added to either end. This addition provided
space for five offices downstairs, a witness room, jury room, and another office upstairs.
The original courtroom and judge's chamber were extended into the wing on the northeast
side and the original wood staircase was removed and replaced by the installation of
twin staircases at either side of the central hall, connecting the first floor to the
hallway and rooms on the second story. Restrooms and a heating system were located
in the basement. The deep red hand-made brick could not be matched and the original
building was bricked over the match the new construction. In 1955, several thousand
dollars were appropriated by the court for the repair and beautification of the courthouse
and public square surrounding it. Completed in 1977, there is a new county office
building. Court meets in the courthouse building and most of the county services have
been moved into these new quarters." ~ NRHP Nomination Form