Gibson County Courthouse - Trenton, TN
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 35° 58.843 W 088° 56.511
16S E 324932 N 3983553
"... this is
one of the last Victorian Revival courthouses to be erected in the state." ~ NRHP Nomination Form
Waymark Code: WMXGAV
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 01/09/2018
Views: 1
County of courthouse: Gibson County
Location of courthouse: E. Eaton St & N. College St., Trenton
Year Built: July 1, 1901
Architect: Walter Chamberlain and Company of Knoxville
Contractor: Hugger and Winston (abandoned project and replaced with) T. R. Biggs and Son of Trenton
"The Gibson County Courthouse is located on the square in Trenton, Tennessee. The
cornerstone date of the building is 1899 and the structure was designed and built
by Walter Chamberlain and Company of Knoxville.
"The large rectangular, two-and-one-half story, polychromatic brick structure is an
eclectic blend of High Victorian classic revival style elements and a balanced
design of symmetrical spacing, highlighted by four, square two-story, inset towers
topped with shingle-clad spires of medium height. The center section of the hip
roof features a two-stage, open vaulted belfry and clock tower with a crowned dome
roof. The center hall plan is designed with three identical entrances and a semicircular
one story bay was built on the south side of the building. The raised foundation
accommodates a full basement. The centered main entrances are distinguished
by a projecting frontpiece which terminates in a three bay parapet wall dormer which
is set with a cross-mullioned, Diocletian-style window. The main entrance has been
established on the north elevation. The side entrances were designed to a reduced
scale. The attached porches are fronted by four free-standing columns with cast iron
capitals. The slate roof supports a decorated balustrade over the entrance. The
front steps lead through the arcaded portico to the entrance doorway.
"The polychromatic effect is created by the use of red and yellow patterned brick and
accented with gray stone. The roof is clad in red shingles and the wood trim has been
painted white. A bichromatic design of headers decorates the frieze between the center
and end towers. The regularly spaced eave brackets are painted white. The roundheaded
windows feature molded archvolt designs of red brick which continue across the
facade in the dripstpne course. The red brick is used to accent the keystone voussirs,
continuous trim courses, and tower quoins. Triangular gablets and roundheaded transom
panels have carved wood tympanum panels. Granite gray stone is used for the belt
course and water table course." ~ NRHP Nomination Form