Hyde County is named for Edward Hyde, who was a governor of colonial North Carolina.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Washington County, Tyrrell County and Dare County
E – Dare County and Atlantic Ocean
S – Atlantic Ocean
W – Beaufort County
Created: December 3, 1705 
County Seat:
Bath 1705 – 1729
Woodstock 1729 – 1789
German-town 1789 – 1820
Lake Landing 1820 – 1836
Swan Quarter 1836 – present
County Courthouse – Swan Quarter
Location: 23145 Highway 264 / Oyster Creek Road
Built: 2006 – 2007
Style: Modern
Architect: Brennan & Associates of Charlotte
Contractor: A R Chesson Construction Company of Williamston-Edenton
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The north front has a large projecting center section with large windows on the second and third stories. The first story has arches and a recessed entrance. The roof is hipped. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 2nrd Judicial District. The building is named as the Hyde County Government Center. The old courthouse is located on the north side of the building.
Old County Courthouse – Swan Quarter
Location: 23145 Highway 264 / Oyster Creek Road2
Built: 1854 – 1855
Style: Federal and Greek Revival
Architect: County Planning Committee
Contractor: County Planning Committee
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Swan Quarter to the north of the courthouse. The building is “T” shaped. The roof is hipped. Annexes were added in 1878, 1909, 1950 and again in 1962. . The architect and the contractor was B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company for the 1909 addition. The building now houses an art gallery.
See: The 2nd Judicial District includes Beaufort County, Martin County, Tyrrell County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1705 and Bath (Beaufort County) was selected as the county seat. In 1729 the county seat was moved to Woodstock and the first courthouse was built. The county seat was moved to Germantown in 1789 and the second courthouse was built. In 1820, the county seat was moved to Lake Landing and the third courthouse was built. The county seat was moved to Swan Quarter in 1836. The fourth courthouse was built in 1836. The fifth courthouse was constructed in 1854 to 1855 and is still standing. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 2006 to 2007.
County Courthouse – Swan Quarter
Old County Courthouse – Swan Quarter
Photos taken 2012
Images 7