Athens Governmental Buildings

The Athens County Courthouse is a red brick structure with tall windows, limestone arches, and a columned portico at the front. The building incorporates these architectural features alongside functional interior spaces designed to serve the county's legal needs.

The structure was built in 1880 following several earlier buildings on the site and was designed by architect James Knox Taylor. It was later placed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to the region's past.

The building still functions as a working courthouse and remains a central place where residents come for legal matters and court proceedings. Its continued use demonstrates how the structure has adapted to serve the community's everyday needs.

The main entrance is at street level, with a dedicated accessible entrance on Washington Street. Keep in mind that this is an active courthouse, so some areas may have restricted access depending on ongoing proceedings.

A statue of Lady Justice crowns the top of the structure, while the town clock moved from City Hall in 1935 now occupies the steeple. These two elements show how the building took on functions the community needed over time.