Adair County Courthouse - Columbia, KY - Courthouses on Waymarking.com

The historic Adair County courthouse is in the process of being renovated and repaired. State funds have been allocated in 2024 to support this effort. The 1974 wing additions as seen on Google Street view were demolished around 2021-2022.

"$1 Million Awarded by Kentucky Legislature for Renovation of Historic Adair County Courthouse The $1 million allocation from the Kentucky legislature for the renovation of the historic Adair County courthouse is exciting news for our community. This significant funding is a testament to the dedication and hard work of numerous local citizens who have tirelessly advocated for the preservation of this landmark over the past two decades. The effort to renovate the courthouse dates back well before 2009 when the last public office was moved from the courthouse to the annex building. The Adair County Fiscal Court worked with the Adair Heritage Association to consider the future use of the building and searched for ways to fund needed repairs. It was determined that the original building, constructed in 1885, remains structurally sound. However, the additions built in 1974 were currently in a state of disrepair. As a result, the organization recommended that it would be financially prudent in the long term to demolish the wings while focusing on repairing the historic portion of the building. The historic building sat empty for a number of years with no funding available to make the needed improvements. In 2019, magistrate Daryl Flatt asked us (Lee Ann Jessie, Shannon Sexton, and Sharon Burton) to look into funding options for the courthouse. We agreed and began researching what might be available. We considered grants, and local fundraising, and looked into an earlier effort to get the project on a list for the National Guard to take down the 1974 additions. We also spoke with Sen. Max Wise and Rep. Bam Carney. Sen. Wise and Rep. Carney made a commitment at that time to help seek funding for this project and were already working toward that goal when Rep. Carney became ill. That was in 2019; Sen. Wise has reminded us since then that he had not forgotten the commitment and continued to work for us. Rep. Sarge Pollock, who served Adair County for a short time, and later Rep. Amy Neighbors also made a commitment to help fund the project. Of course, the legislature's priorities soon changed as the world faced a pandemic with COVID-19, and the courthouse project sat idle for a short time. When the fiscal court received funds from the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the court began considering a number of large projects they needed to address but lacked funding for. At the same time, the courthouse literally had pieces falling off into the roadway. Something had to be done. The fiscal court set Your local news source is The Adair Progress. Call to subscribe today! (270) 384-6471 aside $500,000 for the courthouse project and asked us to oversee the efforts. We began calling ourselves the "itty bitty courthouse committee" and went to work. The majority of that $500,000 was used to take down the 1974 additions and replace windows - the window portion of the project is still underway. Earlier this year the City of Columbia stepped in and committed $32, 000 for the restoration of the iconic clock tower atop the historic courthouse. That project, spearheaded by volunteer Charles Grimsley, is also underway. As local efforts drew attention once again to the historic courthouse, Sen. Wise and Rep. Neighbors continued their efforts on the state level, and suddenly, the timing was perfect. The legislature passed a $2.7 billion onetime investment bill (HB 1) and the historic courthouse project was included! We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this effort. First and foremost, of course, thank you to Sen. Wise, who made this happen and has been diligent in his unwavering commitment."
Source: The Adair Progress (Adair County, Kentucky), 4 Apr 2024, Page A6, "Adair County Awarded $1 Million for the Historic Courthouse Renovation".

Year Built: 1885 Current Use of Building: Unused Level of Courts: County Dates this building was used to house judicial proceedings: 1885-2009 Physical Address: 424 Public Square, Columbia, KY 42728 Hours: None Architect: Not listed Related Website: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
At least one original photograph should be added to the gallery. And please describe your impressions and visit to the courthouse.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.