Washington County - American Courthouses

Washington County is named for George Washington, who was the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Lamoille County and Caledonia County

E – Caledonia County and Orange County

S – Orange County and Addison County

W – Addison County and Chittenden County

Created: November 8, 1814

County Seat:

Montpelier 1814 – present

County Courthouse – Montpelier

Location: 65 State Street / Elm Street

Built: 1880 – 1881

Style: Greek Revival

Architect: B F Walker

Contractor: B F Waker and local labor

Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Montpelier and has a ridged roof surmounted by a graceful clock tower in the center front. Local granite was used around the door and for the sills and lintels of the windows. Four large white colored pillars grace the large main south portico. In the interior, a wood staircase ascends to the County Superior Court courtroom located on the second story. The building houses the County Superior Court – Civil ad Probate. The building was renovated in 1967 to 1969. The interior was remodeled to a modern look. However, the wooden stairway has been left intact. Behind the building stands a brick jailhouse. The building was renovated in 1967 to 1969. The architect was Ralph P Branson of Burlington.

District Court Courthouse – Barre

Location: 255 North Main Street / West Street

Built: 1980 – 1982

Style: Modern

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces south and is a four story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Barre. The south front has a projecting cement entrance on the first story. The center section projects slightly with a vertical set of windows at the center. The windows on the building form a horizontal band around the building. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County Superior Court – Criminal and Family.

History: The county was created in 1814 and Montpelier was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was erected. The second courthouse was built in 1844 and was enlarged in 1879, but a fire the following year made a major reconstruction necessary. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1880 to 1881. A courthouse was constructed in Barre in 1980 to 1982.

See: Located in the County is the Vermont Supreme Court.