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Dawson County, Georgia
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"Dawson County was created in
December 1857, by an act of the Georgia Legislature, from lands out
of Lumpkin, Gilmer, Pickens, and Forsyth counties. By April 28, 1858, all county officers had books that
were necessary for the records of the county, and these were
undoubtedly placed in the log structure, which had been built for
the temporary use of the court and other officials of the county.
The log structure was built by James
Foster for the sum of $30.00 and the benches by James Jackson for an
additional $1.25. Thus the earliest court "got down to business."
Plans for a permanent courthouse were not
long postponed, for by May 1858 plans were accepted to have a
building 50 by 30 feet, with four gables, and the window sills and
steps were to be made of good plant. The contract was made to Wesley
McGuire, John Hockenhull and Anderson Wilson.
In August of 1858 the plans were changed by
the recommendation of the grand jury. The new plans for the
structure called for an enlarged building of 54 by 38 feet, two
gables, the use of good bricks or other materials – such as the one
in Gainesville – and window sills were to be made of granite,
soapstone or marble. Harrison Summerour,
John McAfee and R. N. McClure secured a bond for $9,600.00 to erect
the courthouse. As the money came in to the county treasurer, the
contractors were to be paid, but a difficulty arose and $2,500.00
was borrowed from Mr. Summerour to meet the deadline of a contract
payment. N. H. Goss made chairs for the
new building for $4.95. The bricks, which were purchased at $8.00
per thousand, were made by the slaves of John Hockenhull on a branch
on the east side of Old Georgia 19 (now Highway 9), across the
highway from the building that housed Standard Telephone Company in
Dawsonville. Possibly, other bricks were made at John Hockenhull’s
for "paving and fixing the courthouse outside walls."
In February of 1860, the grand jury commented
on the "abused and defaced" condition of the building by persons
unknown." The damage was repaired and as time passed, the building
was kept in good condition through the efforts of the grand jury and
its recommendations. Some of the more
interesting recommendations were: William Hollingshed ceiled the
building, old shingles were removed (and sold for $5.00) and the
building recovered, the lathing was removed, the northwest room
(which had been rented for $10.00 per month) was fitted for the
commissioners’ office, the windows were glazed (paned with glass),
and from time to time the building was painted. A fence was built
around the courthouse and painted (there was no stock law in
effect). A well, which had been dug earlier on the courthouse
grounds, was included inside the fencing. Sawdust was kept on the
floor until carpeting was installed, printed material was purchased
for the making of curtains for the windows, and shutters were made
and added to the windows. In a contract given to H. C. Thompson, the
building was plastered, and later the plaster was removed and
re-plastering done through a contract awarded to Mr. Finger.
Throughout the years the building received many coats of whitewash
to keep it "spic-and-span". Improvements
continued, but probably the most enjoyed was the recommendation of
the grand jury for "padded and upholstered benches for the use by
the jury."
...Written by: Rebekah S.
Wilson | 
