Putnam County - American Courthouses

Putnam County is named for Israel Putnam, who was an officer during the American Revolutionary War.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Jackson County and Overton County

E – Cumberland County

S – White County and DeKalb County

W – Smith County

Created: February 2, 1842

County Seat:

Cookeville 1842 – present

County Courthouse – Cookeville

Location: 300 East Spring Street / Lowe Avenue

Built: 1899 – 1900

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: James Yeaman

Contractor: Scott-Smoot.

Description: The building faces south and is a three story dark red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The south front has a recessed center section with large portico supported by four high pillars rising to a header at the roof line. Above the entrance is a large arched window. On either side of the center are smaller arched windows. The corners of the building are hexagonal. The roof line is flat. The old courtroom is located on the second story. On the north side is a lower two story addition built in 1962. The architect was Wilson & Odom.

Note: The first courthouse was built in 1854 and burned,. A second courthouse was built in 1855 and a third courthouse during the Civil War in 1866.

County Justice Center – Cookeville

Location: 421 East Spring Street / Lowe Avenue

Built: 1991 – 1993

Style: Modern

Architect: Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc.

Contractor: Highland Rim Constructors, Inc.

Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city.The northwest front has a large open portico with four columns rising to a pediment with large open circle. Behind is a concave section with entrance on the first story and arched windows on the second story. The southeast side has a recessed porch. The building extends east with a large eastern wing which extends south.The roof line is flat.

See: The 13th Judicial District includes Clay County, Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Overton County, Pickett County and White County.