Barren County is named for The Barrens, a region of grassland in Kentucky.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Hart County
E – Metcalfe County
S – Monroe County
W – Allen County, Warren County and Edmonson County
Created: December 20, 1798
County Seat:
Glasgow 1798 – present
County Courthouse – Glasgow
Location: 100 Courthouse Square / Main Street
Built: 1965 – 1966
Style: Colonial
Architect: Bayless, Clotfelter and Johnson of Lexington
Contractor: Ernest Simpson Construction Company.
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Glasgow. The north front has a high portico supported by four large white colored columns rising to the pediment at the roof line. Stairs on the east and west ascend to the white colored entrance doorway under the portico. Between the second and third stories is a white colored protruding cornice. On the center of the roof is a tall square white colored cupola with clock and smaller cupola above. The building houses the County Circuit Court and County District Court of the 43rd Judicial Circuit. The building was renovated in 1998 to 1999. The architect was Bradsetter Carroll of Lexington and the contractor was James N Gray of Glasgow,
See: The architect, Bayless Clotfelter and Johnson of Lexington, designed courthouses in Breathitt County, Laurel County and Rockcastle County.
County Justice Center – Glasgow
Location: 390 West Main Street / Trabue Street
Built: 2025 – 2028
Style: Modern
Architect: Silling and Ingrety Architects
Contractor: Alliance Corporation of Glasgow
Description: The building faces south and is a three story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the west of the center of Glasgow. Construction is under way for completion in 2028.
See: The 43rd Judicial Circuit includes Metcalfe County.
History: The county was created in 1798 and Glasgow was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a log structure erected on the Courthouse Square in 1799. The second courthouse was built. The third courthouse was a wood structure built by Henry Miller in 1804 to 1806. The third courthouse was built in Glasgow in 1804. The fourth courthouse was designed by S M Bagley and built in 1838 to 1840 and the third courthouse was dismantled. The fifth courthouse was designed by Mason Maury and built by Walter Brashear in 1896. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 1965 to 1966.
See: The architect, Mason Maury, also designed the courthouse in Nelson County and the courthouse in Bullitt County along with the contractor Brashear and Johnson.
County Courthouse – Glasgow
Photos taken 2007, 2014 and 2026
Images 10