Kent County - American Courthouses

Kent County was named by William Penn for the English County of Kent.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – New Castle County

E – Cumberland County, New Jersey, Cape May County, New Jersey and Atlantic Ocean

S – Sussex County

W – Caroline County, Maryland, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland and Kent County, Maryland

Created: August 8, 1683

County Seat:

Dover 1683 – present

Old County Courthouse – Dover

Location: 38 The Green / South State Street

Built: 1874 – 1875

Style: Colonial Revival

Architect: William Strickland

Contractor: Risher Bochman

Description: The building faces north and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds facing The Green in the center of Dover and on the west side of the county courthouse. The north front has a central entrance with two columns on the first story with small balcony above. A high square tiered clock tower rises above the building front. The second story has large arched windows and gables on the east and west sides. On the south side and the east side is a red colored brick addition which is connected by a walkway to the new courthouse. The building housed the County Superior Court, County Court of Chancery, County Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace. The building has the historic Courtroom One.The building was remodeled in 1916. The architect was Wilson Eyre & McLivain. The building was remodeled in 2010 to 2012. The architect was Moeckel Carbonell/Ricci Greene Associates and the contractor was Nason Construction Inc.

County Courthouse – Dover

Location: 414 Federal Street / M L King Boulevard

Built: 2009 – 2011

Style: Modern

Architect: Moeckel Carbonell/Ricci Greene Associates

Contractor: Nason Construction Inc.

Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Dover on the east side of the old county courthouse. The north front has a large porch running across the front with many columns and a recessed glass entrance on the east side. The first story has numerous arches with large windows on the second story. The third story is recessed. The roof line is flat. The building is connected on the west side by a walkway to the old courthouse. The building also houses the Delaware Chancery Court in Kent County.

Note: The new courthouse sits on the site of the O’Brien Building constructed in 1978 and which building housed the Kent County administration.

Old State House – Dover

Location: 25 The Green / South State Street

Built: 1787 – 1791

Style: Middle Georgian

Architect: John Howe

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds facing The Green in the center of Dover. The building served as the courthouse from 1791 to 1874 with the courtroom on the first story. The west front has a central entrance with large window above on the second story. On the center of the roof is a wood cupola with open section at the top. The interior has a dual staircase. The old legislative chambers are located on the second story. On the south side is the Delaware Supreme Court.

Note: The Family Court is located at 400 Court Street in Dover.

History: The county was created in 1683 and Dover was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1697. The second courthouse was the Old State House built in 1787 to 1791. The third courthouse was built in 1874 to 1875 and is still standing. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 2009 to 2011.

County Administration Building – Dover

Location: 555 South Bay Road / Blue Hen Boulevard

Built: 2003 – 2005

Style: Modern

Architect: Becker Morgan Group

Contractor: The Whiting Turner Contracting Company.

Description: The building faces west and is a three story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds on the east side of the center of Dover. The southwest corner has a large circular section with pillars and open first story with glass panel entrance. The building has a series of square projecting glass towers along the west and south sides. The roof line is flat.