Madison County is named for James Madison, who was the fourth President of the United States of America.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Cocke County,Tennessee, Greene County, Tennessee Unicoi County, Tennessee
E – Yancey County
S – Buncombe County
W – Haywood County and Cocke County, Tennessee
Created: January 27, 1851
County Seat:
Jewell; Hill 1851 – 1855
Marshall 1855 – present
County Courthouse – Marshall
Location: 2 North Main Street / Baileys Branch Road
Built: 1906 – 1907
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Albert H Carrier and Richard Sharp Smith of Smith & Carrier Smith of Asheville
Contractor: Blue Ridge Construction Company
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Marshall. The building sits on a granite base. The south front has a large portico with four white colored columns rising to a pediment. There is a balcony on the second story. A wide cornice runs below the hipped roof line. On the center of the roof is an octagonal silver colored dome with clocks. Above the clocks is a lantern to signify the status of a blind justice. In the interior, there are cross halls which intersect at the center. Pressed brick wainscot line the halls and the floors are laid in marble. The courtroom is located on the second story and has tall arched windows and original furnishings such as paneled doors, wooden and iron seats, paneled bench and a heavy turned balustrade separating the spectators from the court officials. The rear balcony has been enclosed. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 24th Judicial District.
See: The courthouse is similar to the courthouse in Jackson County, both designed by Rich S Smith & Albert H Carrier of Asheville.
New County Courthouse – Marshall
Location: Medical Park Drive / Hayes Run Road
Built: 2024 – 2029
Style: Modern
Architect: LS3P Architects of Ashville
Contractor: Vannoy and Sons Construction and NHM Constructors
Description: The building is under construction to the north of the center of Marshall. The county has contracted Vannoy and Sons Construction for the design-build portion of the project. LS3P is providing engineering, interior design and planning services, while NHM Constructors is handling site preparation. A temporary courthouse will be constructed on the north side of the Fairgrounds designed by Swartz Building Solutions, based in Gastonia, with site work performed by Hamlin Construction.
See: The 24th Judicial District includes Avery County, Mitchell County, Watauga County and Yancey County.
History: The county was created in 1851 and Jewell Hill was selected as the county seat. The first court was held in the tavern of Adolphus Beard in Jewell Hill. In 1855, the county seat was moved to Madison (Lapland) but the court remained in rented premises in Jewell Hill until 1859 when the first courthouse was built in Marshall. The second courthouse was constructed in 1906 to 1907 at a cost of $30,000. The building was damaged by a hurricane. The third courthouse is located at the Fairgrounds and the fourth courthouse is under construction.
County Courthouse – Marshall
Photos taken 2012
Images 8