Rabun County is named for William Rabun, who was the thirty-first governor of Georgia from 1817 to 1819.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Clay County, North Carolina Macon County, North Carolina and Jackson County, North Carolina
E – Oconee County, South Carolina
S – Habersham County
W – Towns County
Created: December 15, 1818 
County Seat:
Claytonville 1821 – 1823
Clayton 1823 – present
County Courthouse – Clayton
Location: 25 Courthouse Square / West Savannah Street
Built: 1967 – 1968
Style: Modern
Architect: John J Harte Associates Inc.
Contractor: Hagaman Construction Company Inc.
Description: The building faces east and is a two story gray colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building sits on edge of a ravine on landscaped grounds in the center of Clayton. The east front has a large central section with high rectangular opening having a recessed entrance and large arched glass window above. Red brick faces the first story which has vertical concrete divides separating the windows. On the second story, the window groupings protrude. The roof is a green color and a small square white colored cupola with clock and green colored dome rises from the building center. The building houses the County Superior Court, County Juvenile Court, County Probate Court and County Magistrate Court of the 9th Judicial Administrative District.
Old County Courthouse – Clayton
Location: 87 Old Livery Street / Earl Street
Built: 1879
Style: Wood Frame
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a three story white colored wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Clayton. The north front has a one story wood portico with balcony on the second story. The roof is hipped. The building served as the third courthouse from 1879 to 1808 and in 1961 the building was moved to the present location. The building is now an apartment complex.
Note: During the construction of the 1908 courthouse, the third courthouse was auctioned off to the Bleckley family. W F Cunningham was hired to move the building from the Public Square to Main Street across from Reeves Hardware. When Cunningham failed to complete the contract, a second mover used a team of six oxen to move the building. The remodeled building was opened as The Bleckley Hotel in 1908. In 1913, the building was moved to Savannah Street and in 1961 the building was moved to the present location.
See: The 9th Judicial District includes Cherokee County, Dawson County, Fannin County, Forsyth County, Gilmer County, Gwinnett County, Habersham County, Hall County, Lumpkin County, Pickens County, Stephens County, Towns County, Union County and White County.
History: The county was created in 1821 and Claytonville was selected as the county seat in 1821. The name of the county seat was changed to Clayton in 1823. The first court was held at the residence of Daniel Love. The first courthouse was a two story log structure built in 1824. The second courthouse was a two story log structure built in 1838 and served until 1878. Court was held in Masonic Lodge until the third courthouse, a three story wood frame structure was built in 1879. The building served as the courthouse and was moved to 87 Old Livery Street. The fourth courthouse was a two story concrete block and steel structure built in 1908. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 1967 to 1968.
County Courthouse – Clayton
County Superior Court courtroom
Picture 1908 County Courthouse
Picture 1979 County Courthouse
Old 1879 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2008, 2013 and 2023