Walton County - American Courthouses

Walton County is named for George Walton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of Congress and a Governor of Georgia.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Barrow County

E – Oconee County and Morgan County

S – Newton County and Rockdale County

W – Gwinnett County

Created: December 15, 1818

County Seat:

Monroe 1818 – present

County Courthouse – Monroe

Location: Courthouse Square – South Broad Street / East Spring Street

Built: 1883 – 1884

Style: Second Empire Victorian

Architect: Alexander C Bruce & Thomas H Morgan

Contractor: James Smith of Sparta

Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds of Courthouse Square in the center of Monroe. The west front has a one story porch supported by six narrow columns and rising to a flat roof. On the second story are three high arched windows on the projecting center section and high arched windows on the north and south sides. Above is a pediment at the roof line with wide cornice following the roof line. The north and south wings are lower and have mansard roof with dormers. On the center of the roof is high square white colored clock tower with flat roof. In the interior there are wood floors and stairs. The former courtroom on the second story has a “U” shaped gallery, high verical windows and a fireplace. Beaded board wainscoting encircles the room. An outstanding feature are the jurors’ chairs of woven cane. One story additions were added on the north and south of the east side. The clock tower was added in 1907, and the building underwent major restorations in 1933 to 1935 under the Works Progress Administration. The architect was Sydney S Daniell and Russell Beutell and the contractor was Newton Coal and Lumber Company. The building was further renovated in 1969 and 1996. The 1996 renovation left the building’s exterior in pristine condition. The building houses county offices. On the east side is the County Courthouse Annex at 132 East Spring Street, on the north side is another County Courthouse Annex II at 100 North Broad Street housed in the National Bank of Monroe building and on the south side is Courthouse Annex I at 127 Court Street.

Note: The original clock tower and dome of the courthouse were destroyed in 1885 by a tornado. The courthouse remained with a flat roof until the current tower was constructed in 1907. In 1910 the four clock faces, the bell and the clock motor were added. The bell and motor were made by the E. Howard Clock Company and the 42″ solid bronze bell is one of the largest in the state. The motor was weight driven when originally installed but was eventually replaced with electricity.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Walton County Courthouse

County Government Building – Monroe

Location: 303 South Hammond Drive / George Road

Built: 2002 – 2004

Style: Modern

Architect: Carter Watkins Associates of Monroe

Contractor: The Potts Company of Conyers

Description: The building faces north and is a three story red and white colored brick and concrete rectangular shaped structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds to the east of the center of Monroe. The north front has a projecting center section which rises to a pediment above the roof line. The roof is sloped. The building is the County Government Center.

See: The 10th Judicial District includes Banks County, Barrow County, Burke County, Clarke County, Columbia County, Elbert County, Franklin County, Glascock County, Hart County, Jackson County, Lincoln County, Madison County, McDuffie County, Newton County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Richmond County, Taliaferro County, Warren County and Wilkes County.

History: The county was created in 1818 and Monroe was selected as the county seat. The first court met in a cow barn in 1818. The first courthouse was built in 1823. The second courthouse was built in 1845. The third courthouse was constructed in 1883 to 1884 at a cost of $23,865. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 2002 to 2004.

Old County Jail – Monroe

Location: 203 Milledge Avenue / East Washington Street

Built: 1884 – 1885

Style: Second Empire Victorian

Architect: M B McGinty.

Contractor: M B McGinty.

Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Monroe to the east of the courthouse. The west front has a one story white colored porch supported by four square piers. The slightly extending center section rises to a peak at the roof line. The roof is hipped. The cost of construction was $8,850.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Old Walton County Jail