Chowan County Courthouse, Georgian courthouse in Edenton, United States
The Chowan County Courthouse is a two-story brick building with a T-shaped floor plan and a wooden cupola topped with a weathervane. The ground floor contains a courtroom while the upper level features an assembly room with raised wooden paneling.
Construction began in 1767 as a replacement for two earlier courthouse buildings dating back to 1718 and 1724. The new structure reflected the growing need for a permanent center for colonial government operations in the region.
The courthouse served as the heart of community life beyond its legal role, bringing together townspeople for official meetings and public gatherings. Its role shaped how residents understood justice and governance in their daily lives.
The building is located at the corner of East King and Court Streets in central Edenton and is easy to find. The courthouse green beside it provides open space for walking and exploring the surrounding neighborhood.
President James Monroe attended a public dinner here in 1819, a rare event that highlighted how important this location was to early American leaders. Few small-town courthouses received visits from sitting presidents during that era.
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