Laurens County - American Courthouses

Laurens County is named for John Laurens, who was aide-de-camp to George Washington and was from South Carolina.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Wilkinson County and Johnson County

E – Johnson County and Treutlen County

S – Wheeler County and Dodge County

W – Dodge County and Bleckley County

Created: December 10, 1807

County Seat:

Sumterville 1807 – 1811

Dublin 1811 – present

County Courthouse – Dublin

Location: 101 North Jefferson Street / Jackson Street

Built: 1962 – 1963

Style: Modern

Architect: Cunningham and Forehand

Contractor: Aaron Torch & Sons Inc.

Description: The building faces southwest and is a three story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Dublin. The southwest front has a one story section having a portico with four columns rising to a pediment below the roof line. There is recessed entrance with glass panels. The main entrance is along the north side with a one story glass paneled section. The east section of the building is two stories. The roof line is flat. In the interior is a large County Superior Court courtroom at the southwest front. A wide galley on the second story overlooks the courtroom. At the center of the building on the second story is the County Juvenile Court courtroom. Another courtroom is located on the third story. The building houses the County Superior Court, County Juvenile Court, County Probate Court and Magistrate Court of the 8th Judicial District.

See: The 8th Judicial District includes Baldwin County, Ben Hill County, Bleckley County, Candler County, Crisp County, Dodge County, Dooly County, Emanuel County, Greene County, Hancock County, Jasper County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Jones County, Montgomery County, Morgan County, Pulaski County, Putnam County, Telfair County, Toombs County, Treutlen County, Twiggs County, Washington County, Wheeler County, Wilcox County and Wilkinson County

History: The county was created in 1897 and Sumterville was selected as the county seat. The first court met at the residence of Peter Thomas. The county seat was moved from Sumterville to Sand Bar in 1810 and then to Dublin in 1811. The first courthouse was built in Sand Bar and shortly after, the second courthouse was built in Dublin. The third courthouse was a two story brick structure designed by Bruce & Morgan and constructed by James H McKenzie in 1895. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1962 and 1963.