Franklin County - American Courthouses

Franklin County is named for Benjamin Franklin, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and who lived from 1706 to 1790.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Henry County and Owen County

E – Scott County

S – Woodford County and Anderson County

W – Shelby County

Created: December 7, 1794

County Seat:

Frankfort 1794 – present

County Courthouse – Frankfort

Location: 218 Saint Clair Street / West Main Street

Built: 1832 – 1835

Style: Greek Revival

Architect: Gideon Shryock of Louisville

Contractor: Gideon Shryock of Louisville

Description: The building faces east and is a two story brown colored brick, wood and stone structure. The east front has a high portico supported by four large columns. Atop the roof is an octagonal white colored cupola rising in tiers with a clock on the second tier. The County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the second story. The architect and contractor was Gideon Shryock of Louisville. In 1909, the building was expanded by thirty feet. The architect was Leo L Oberward and the contractor was Capital Lumber & Manufacturing Company. Other renovations were made in 1927, 1949 and 1968. The County Judicial Center was constructed on the north and south with concrete and glass from 2011 to 2013. The architect was Rick Kremer and the contractor was Cordell Construction Company of Winchester. The building contains a number of courtrooms and houses the County Circuit Court and County District Court of the 48th Judicial Circuit. The administration wing is along the north side.

Note: The present courthouse was constructed of stone, quarried from land owned by Phillip Swigert. In the cupola, stands a clock purchased in Philadelphia by the City of Frankfort.

See: The architect, Gideon Shryock of Louisville, designed the courthouse in Jefferson County.

History: The county was created in 1794. There is no record of a courthouse being built until the first courthouse was built in 1806 located on the southeast corner of Capitol Square. Land had been given by the Legislature and at the May term in 1803, Christopher Greenup, Daniel James and Daniel Weisiger were appointed commissioners to oversee the construction of the courthouse. The building was three stories and constructed in 1806 of brick. The Hiram Lodge had been granted permission to construct the third floor, at their own expense, for use as a Mason Hall. The second courthouse was built in 1835 at a cost of $12,500. The courthouse still stands and was enlarged in 2011 to 2013 at a cost of 21,300,000 as the County Judicial Center.

See: Kentucky Supreme Court is located in the State Capitol and the Kentucky Court of Appeals is located in the county.