The building was constructed in 1907 and is a classic “I-plan” courthouse, which means it is set back from the street and runs the entirety of a block. This style was popular for courthouses during this time because of its grandeur.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson for this great picture taken in 2012. For more information on the Sumter County Courthouse, see its listing in the National Historic Register.

SCIWAY thanks frequent contributor Stephen Brenton of Ladson for this great shot.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson for this picture taken in November 2012.

The York County Courthouse is listed in the National Historic Register. Special thanks to our frequent contributor Stephen Brenton of Ladson for these great pictures taken in November 2012.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson who took this picture in March 2012.

This courthouse was built to replace the old courthouse, which was constructed in 1851 and now serves as Newberry’s Community Hall and Chamber of Commerce. Made from red brick and terracotta, the current courthouse was designed in the neoclassical style by famed architect Frank Pierce Milburn. Milburn designed several other historic South Carolina buildings, including the South Carolina State House, the old Anderson County Courthouse, and the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston.

The courthouse consists of three stories and a basement, and it is marked by Ionic brick columns at its entrance. The building was enlarged in 1938, with a rear addition designed by Columbia architect and Prosperity native Heyward Singley. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson, who took this picture in November 2011.

Horry County’s first courthouse was constructed in the early 1800s. It served the county until 1825, when a new courthouse was completed on Main Street. This second courthouse was designed by noted Charleston architect Robert Mills in the popular Greek Revival style. Although it now serves as Conway’s City Hall, locals still refer to it as the “Old Courthouse.”

The current courthouse (pictured here) was built during Conway’s most significant period of growth. Many of the oak trees on the courthouse grounds were planted by L.W. Brown, who served as Clerk of Court from 1909 to 1927. The courthouse has been renovated several times; the east and west wings were added in 1964.

The Clerk of Court for McCormick County is an elected official and handles record keeping, scheduling, fee collection, and many other judicial responsibilities for the county. The courthouse building is listed in the National Historic Register.

According to the National Register, the McCormick County Courthouse is a Neo-Classical style brick building. There is a two-story portico with Doric columns on its east side. There is an “enriched lintel with console brackets, dentils, and decorative frieze” above the main entryway. Inside the courthouse you will find pressed metal ceilings, and the original doors and transoms.

Areas of land from surrounding Edgefield County, Abbeville County, and Greenwood County were joined to form McCormick County in 1916. The county was named after Cyrus Hall McCormick, who was an inventor during the late 1800s.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson, who took this great shot in November 2011.

For more information about the McCormick County Courthouse, including office hours and contact information, please visit the main website.

The courthouse comprises one-quarter of Charleston’s famous “Four Corners of Law,” located at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets. The other three corners are occupied by Charleston City Hall, the US Post Office and Federal Courthouse building, and St Michael’s Church. Together, these buildings represent municipal law, state law (counties are creatures of the state), federal law, and ecclesiastical law.

Hurricane Hugo devastated many buildings in Charleston when it struck in 1989, especially the courthouse. The Historic Charleston Foundation worked with County leaders the to have the building restored to its 17th century appearance.

The decision to repair the courthouse instead of building a new courthouse elsewhere was a wise one, and the Historic Charleston Foundation made a compelling case to County officials for its restoration. The Foundation presented examples of other “cities whose downtown centers have fallen into economic ruin because they failed to recognize that their vitality relied on central shared spaces where the common bonds of law, culture and community link citizens to one another.”

The courthouse’s continued presence downtown is critical to maintaining Charleston’s character and economic well being. Broad Street is the heart of downtown’s business district and an important buffer zone between the lively tourist-oriented Market area and the residential areas south of Broad Street. Had the courthouse been moved, the buildings along Broad Street most likely would have become part of the tourism sector and threatened the quiet charm of the residential areas.

SCIWAY thanks Stephen Brenton of Ladson, who took these great pictures in November 2011. The top one shows the courthouse as it faces Broad Street, and the bottom one shows the rear of the building as seen from Courthouse Square.