Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse - Lawrenceville, GA - Courthouses on Waymarking.com

Built in 1885 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse sits majestically on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville.

The Courthouse is available for rental and ideal for business meetings, weddings, receptions, banquets, workshops, showers, and conferences . Unique features include a large gazebo on the manicured lawn, original turret (balcony) to the outside, faux fireplaces, 24-foot ceilings and revolving art exhibits.
Areas for rent include a large courtroom (accommodates 200 seated for a plated dinner with no dance floor, 150 seated at tables with buffet and dance floor or 300 standing with buffet tables only) and four meeting rooms (16-20 per room seated at tables or 30 theater style). The picturesque gazebo and lawn are perfect for outdoor events. Call 770.822.5450 to book your next event or arrange a consultation.

The Gwinnett Veterans Council War Memorial Museum is a tribute to the brave men and women who have defended our land and liberties from the Civil War to the present. Located on the first floor of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, this museum covers wars from the 19th century to the present, including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf Wars, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
As you tour this room, you'll be captivated by the stories of both the men and women who gave so much to our country and for our freedoms. The museum is filled with an awe-inspiring collection of wartime artifacts, memorabilia and uniforms from all branches of service. The exhibits have been compiled by the Gwinnett Veterans Council, and include Veterans' personal stories. This museum is a must see, and has been designed to serve as an educational center and memorial for generations to come. Open during regular operating hours.

In 1820, Isham Williams built a log courthouse on land he owned (Land Lot 143, located near present-day Lawrenceville). When Williams and the county could not agree on a purchase price for the land, Elisha Winn was selected to buy a permanent site for the county town. Winn purchased Lot 146, consisting of 250 acres in the Fifth Land District, for $200 from John Breedlove of Hancock County who had drawn it in the lottery. Another log courthouse was constructed on the land.

In 1824, the second log courthouse was replaced by a brick structure. In 1856, the legislature authorized Gwinnett County to levy a special tax to erect a new courthouse -- but apparently nothing was done.

Members of the Ku Klux Klan burned down the courthouse on Sept. 10, 1871. It seems a Klansman had been bootlegging and there was evidence inside that he wanted to get rid of. Some of the records from Inferior Court were saved, but most documents burned. The evidence against the Klan members was housed in the sheriff's house at the time and was not damaged.

That December the legislature authorized Gwinnett County to borrow up to $8,000 to build another courthouse, which was completed in 1872. This new building, however, was widely criticized for its poor construction, and in 1884 was torn down. The signature two-story structure that stands today was erected in 1885 at a cost of $23,083.

The courthouse was the scene of two lynchings. In 1865, soon after the war ended, Mart McConnell, a former slave, was accused of assaulting a white woman. He fled to Union soldiers camped at the square. After hearing the facts, the soldiers took him into custody, bought a rope and hanged him on the courthouse square. Georgia Congressman Charles H. Brand mentioned it from the floor of Congress in 1922 to make the point that the first lynching in Georgia was done by Yankees.

On April 7, 1911, a black man named Charlie Hale, also charged with assaulting a white woman, was dragged from the jail and hanged.

Year Built: 1885 Current Use of Building: Museum Level of Courts: County Physical Address: 185 E Crogan St Lawrenceville, GA Architect: Not listed Dates this building was used to house judicial proceedings: Not listed Hours: Not listed Related Website: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/30/2021 ckirbee visited it 06/05/2019 ORDIMIC visited it 10/10/2009 Sprinterman visited it 10/30/2007 Lat34North visited it 08/28/2006 ChapterhouseInc visited it

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