One of just five surviving antebellum frame courthouses in the state, the Tazewell [pronounced TAZ-well] example has also long been home to the Marion Lodge #14, Free & Accepted Masons, which was established in 1838. In his excellent and highly recommended The Courthouse & the Depot, Wilber W. Caldwell writes: “…The county’s first courthouse, a simple log structure, rose about 7 miles from Tazewell at the village of Horry shortly after the creation of the new county. In 1838, the county seat moved to Tazewell , and a second court building was erected there. That building burned in 1845, and this sturdy heart pine courthouse was begun the following year. Completed in 1848, the building hosted only one court session, before voters of Marion County elected to move the county seat to the village of Pea Ridge, which they renamed Buena Vista to commemorate the recent American victory in the Mexican American War…”
National Register of Historic Places
My husband’s 3rd Great Grandfather and his son were murdered while helping to conduct an election on January 13, 1872. His name was Henry Allison and his son was Aaron. I was wondering if this courthouse would have been we where the election took place. (In January of 1872 at the age of 65, Henry was working as a Manager for an election for a local of Justice of the Peace when another man named R.W. Milton showed up with a black voter that he planned to force to vote for his own candidate. When Henry found out about this, he confronted Mr. Milton and told him that he could not force the man to vote for one candidate, that he must be allowed to vote for whomever he chooses.
Milton took issue with this and pulled a pocket knife, threatening to kill Henry. It was then that Henry’s 23 year old son Aaron stepped in to protect his father and attacked Milton with a stick. Unfortunately Milton was able to stab Aaron several times before turning his attentions back on Henry, ultimately killing them both before fleeing the area.)
Awesome! Would enjoy seeing more of the stories and photos from this building’s past
I was told by my cousin that my great-great-grandfather, William Halley had his medical practice in the back room of this courthouse after he was injured in the civil war. He is buried in the Tazewell cemetery. Their farm was the current Buck Creek Plantation over on Hwy 240 outside of town. I love your website and appreciate everything you do to keep Georgia’s history alive!
Where are the other four located? We were told by the Georgia Historical Society in Atlanta that this was the only wooden County Courthouse building still standing on its’ original foundation and being used on a regular basis.
They’re right about it being the only one on its original foundation. The old Chattahoochee County Courthouse was moved to Westville. And the other two frame courthouses, Glascock and Pierce, have been reinforced with other material.
Wanted to let you know we own a farm in Excelsior, GA which is located in Candler county. Original farm was purchased with land grant back circa civil war times. I am looking into getting the old commissary store with is on the farm in the National registry. If interested in seeing it give me a call 912-682-6482. My name is Susan Nevil. I enjoy all your wonderful photographs.
Thanks, Susan! I would love to see it…
HI BRIAN, GREAT BLDG., GREAT PHOTO. VERY INTERESTING HISTORY. SERVED ONLY 1 TERM OF COURT!!!!
THANKS, KEEP UP GREAT WORK!!!! WENDELL