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Celebrating 150 Years
of Service to
Davidson County...
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Statewide attention was focused on Davidson County when it completed a new courthouse in Lexington NC in October 1858. Newspapers described the grand Greek Revival/Italianate Revival building designed by William Asher as symbolic of Davidson County's progressive attitude in the mid-19th century. The Old Davidson County Courthouse on the Square has reached an important milestone....2008 was the building's 150th birthday - a Sesquicentennial Celebration! |
Several things are planned this year in observance of the Sesquicentennial:
* We have a new exhibit on the history of the courthouse.
* "Se'squeal'centennial Pig" is part of Lexington's "Pigs in the City" public art initiative. You can see "Sesqueal" in front of the Old Courthouse!
* 150th Birthday Party October 5 will feature a new interpretive program for the historic courtoom.
The Davidson County Historical Museum is located in the Old Davidson County Courthouse, the grandest example of North Carolina's antebellum courthouses. The Old Courthouse on the Square is the keystone of the Uptown Lexington's National Register Historic District.The historic second floor courtroom remains intact with its judge's bench, jury box and prisoner's holding cage. Embedded columns encircle the room, topped with stately moldings. Visitors can imagine the joys and sorrows those seeking justice and mercy in this courtroom might have experienced during the 100 years this building served as Davidson County's courthouse.
 The Old Courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Built in the Greek Revival/Italianate Revival style, it is one of the foremost examples of temple form public architecture in the Southeast. In 1991, a preservation easement on the Old Courthouse was donated by Davidson County to the Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, assuring the building's protection for future generations. The Museum continues to make the Old Courthouse available to the public, and along with Davidson County government is committed to the preservation of this important landmark. Read a complete architectural history of the Old CourthouseThis building replaced an earlier courthouse built in 1824, two years after the county's founding in 1822. The first building was designed by noted North Carolina architect William Nichols. It was demolished when the 1858 courthouse as built. Unfortunately, no drawings or pictures of the first courthouse survived, but if still standing, it would be in the center of the busy intersection that divides Lexington's town square into four quadrants.
Above photos copyrighted by H. Scott Hoffmann, 2003
FAQs about the Old Courthouse....
Q: When, how and why was Davidson County created?
A: North Carolina formed Davidson County from Rowan County in 1822. The county was named by the North Carolina General Assembly for General William Lee Davidson, a hero of the American Revolution who died at the Battle of Cowan's Ford. After the first courthouse was built in 1824, local residents no longer had to cross the Yadkin to Salisbury to conduct court business.
Q: Why does each county have its own courthouse?
A. When new counties were formed, smaller political boundaries were created. Before Davidson County was created, folks had to cross the Yadkin River to Salisbury, Rowan County's seat of government, in order to pay taxes, record property transfers or conduct other court business. Having a courthouse in the new county seat of Lexington was a great convenience. The Courthouse on the Square became the busiest place in town. Soon local businessmen located near the courthouse on the Square. Businessmen such as Eli Penry opened mercantile stores on the Square. Residents came to the courthouse to conduct court business. One of the most important functions was the recording of land transactions. Until a land purchase was recorded, the new owner could not be assured of unchallenged ownership.
Q: The new 1858 courthouse was rose-colored. How do we know the building' original color and appearance?
A: Extensive research on the construction of the building was done in the mid 1980s. Included in this study was an analysis of the exterior and interior finishes of the building. Rose washed stucco was fashionable for the mid-19th century, and evoked the classical architectural elements on which the building is based.
Q: Why isn't the Old Courthouse painted a rose color now?
A: After the Civil War the building was washed in a darker rose color. This may have been done in part because of fire damage just after the Civil War. Over the years the color of the buiding has varied somewhat. In 1918 a major remodeling that for the most part respected the original design of the building accounted for the following changes:
* the building was painted gray,
* the name was added to the front of the building,
* a full basement was dug, a balcony, partial third floor and additional moldings were added to the courtroom.
Ask questions about the 1858 Courthouse here!
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Davidson
County Government | 913 Greensboro Street | Lexington, North Carolina
27292 | Phone: (336) 242-2000
Copyright © - All Rights Reserved |