Horry County - American Courthouses

Horry County is named for Peter Horry, who was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Robeson County, North Carolina, Columbus County, North Carolina and Brunswick County, North Carolina

E – Atlantic Ocean

S – Georgetown County and Marion County

W – Marion County and Dillon County

Created: December 19, 1801

County Seat:

Conway 1801 – present

County Courthouse – Conway

Location: 1201 3rd Avenue / Beaty Street

Built: 1906 – 1907

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: Leitner & Wilkins of Wilmington, North Carolina

Contractor: Henry P Little of Conway

Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story dark red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Conway, The building is “T” shaped with a short southeast wing. There is a portico on the front supported by four large white colored columns rising to a header at the top of the second story. A small balcony is above the entrance and above in the central section, the header forms a third story with a white colored octagonal cupola in the center of the roof. The north and south wings project with four white colored columns at either end rising to the top of the second story. In the interior, the main hallway ruins northwest-southeast. On the second story at the center of the northwest front is the large former courtroom with gallery along the northwest side. The building houses the County Magistrate Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit. The building was renovated in 1964. The architect was Baker & Gill and the contractor was Dargan Construction Company.

County Government and Justice Center – Conway

Location: 1301 2nd Avenue / Beaty Street

Built: 2001 – 2002

Style: Modern

Architect: Stevens & Wilkinson of South Carolina

Contractor: M B Kahn Construction Company Inc.

Description: The building faces northwest and is a two and three story reddish colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Conway to the southeast of the courthouse. The building has a high portico at the front of the two story section supported by eight square white colored pillars with pediment above. The north and south wings are one story with the second story rising behind and at the center section. On the southeast side is an open lobby connecting with the three story rectangular shaped wing on the southeast containing the Justice Center. In the interior there are five Family Court courtrooms and a Probate Court courtroom on the second story and five County Circuit Court courtrooms on the third story. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County Family Court and County Probate Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit. The building is named as the County Government and Justice Center.

Old County Courthouse ( City Hall ) – Conway

Location: 229 Main Street / 3rd Avenue

Built: 1824 – 1825

Style: Greek Revival

Architect: Robert Mills of Charleston

Contractor: Russell Warren.

Description: The building faces northeast and is a two story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Conway. The northeast front has a large portico with an arched recessed entrance on the first story and with four white colored columns rising to a pediment on the second story. The second story windows are arched. The roof is hipped. In the interior, the former courtroom is located along the north side of the second story and now houses the city council. On the south side of the second story in the former jail section is a meeting room. The building is now the City Hall.

See: The architect, Robert Mills of Charleston, designed courthouses in Colleton County, Edgefield County, Fairfield County, Georgetown County, Lancaster County, Marion County and Williamsburg County.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Old Horry County Courthouse

See: The 15th Judicial Circuit includes Georgetown County.

History: The county was created in 1801 and Conway was selected as the county seat. The first country courthouse was built in 1800. The second courthouse was designed by Robert Mills and built in 1825 and is still standing. The third courthouse was constructed in 1906 to 1907. The County Government and Justice Center was constructed in 2001 to 2002.