Houston County - American Courthouses

Houston County is named for George Smith Houston, who was a Governor of Alabama.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Dale County and Henry County

E – Early County, Georgia and Seminole County, Georgia

S – Jackson County, Florida

W – Geneva County and Dale County

Created: February 9, 1903

County Seat:

Dothan 1905 – present

County Courthouse – Dothan

Location: 114 North Oates Street / East Main Street

Built: 1960 – 1962

Style: Modern

Architect: Joseph L Donofro and Associates of Dothan

Contractor: W K Upchurch Construction Company

Description: The building faces west and is a four story red colored brick, glass, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Dothan. The west front has a central tower with canopy over the entrance on the first story, high glass wall to a header at the roof line, and forming a high peak at the top. On either side of the tower are brick pillars with glass panels on the outside portion. Along the first story is stone facing with wide arches There are no other windows along the front. In the interior, the courtrooms are located on the third story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit and the County District Court and County Probate Court. The building was redesigned from 2001 to 2002. The architect was Charles Waid of Waid, Parrish and Associates of Dothan and the contractor was Clark Construction Company, Inc.

See: The 20th Judicial Circuit includes Henry County.

History: The county was created in 1903 and Dothan was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a brick structure designed by Andrew J Bryan and constructed by M T Lewman & Company in 1905. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1960 to 1962.

Old County Jail – Columbia

Location: South Main Street / East North Street

Built: 1860s

Style: Wood frame

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces north and is a one story white colored wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Columbia. The north door has heavy iron hardware. The roof is hipped. In the interior, iron spikes were driven into the wall to prevent escape. The building is one of the lost standing wooden jails.