Designed by J. W. Golucke, Georgia’s leading courthouse architect, this structure was greatly modified in 1961. It originally featured a clock tower and mansard roof. It remains one of the more unique courthouses in the state.
National Register of Historic Places
Thank you, Brian. I’ll let you know. I appreciate your interest.
I was going to high school in the 50ths when the county removed the top floor ! Everyone thought the county was crazy !
Jake…it is a shame that it’s gone…my hometown of Fitzgerald removed the clock tower from our courthouse as well.
Jake, that is very interesting. Was the 3d floor in a mansard roof configuration? A mansard would have given this a much stronger 2d Empire appearance along the lines of the beautiful 1890s courthouse in Hancock County. As an interesting aside…I am not aware of any two current courthouses in GA of identical design. In 1936 a tornado destroyed the Hall County Courthouse in my hometown of Gainesville. Based on many old photos I have seen, it was identical to the present Hancock County CH. Are any readers aware of other “twins” among GA courthouses?
Yes, Ben…it had a mansard roof.
http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/courthouses/tattnallCH4.htm
Jake
This is an interesting building. I have just done a search and found a picture of the building before “renovations”. You are right…they were crazy. It is a beautiful building now, but it was an amazing and fantastic architectural “tour de force” before!
Beautiful building!
This is one of the most, if not the most interesting courthouses in Georgia.
This has a lot more than 2d Empire architectural influence. It is an architectural “melting pot”…a beautiful “mish mash”…I love it!
I agree, Ben.
This is the 5th courthouse to serve Tattnall County. I have written a book on these courthouses, Two on the River, Three in Town: the Five Courthouses of Tattnall County. It is now at the Tattnall Journal in Reidsville to be printed.
Keep me posted on the book, John. I’d love to get a copy when I’m up that way…