Hawkins County Courthouse

The Hawkins County Courthouse is a brick building in Rogersville with red exterior walls, white columns, and an octagonal tower structure at its center. The building contains multiple rooms for court proceedings and administrative offices arranged around its central area.

The courthouse was built in 1836 as a replacement for an earlier structure made of logs and wood cladding. It remains one of the few pre-Civil War courthouses still operating in Tennessee today.

The courthouse design reflects architectural thinking inspired by Thomas Jefferson, with balanced proportions and classical elements visible in its layout. These design choices have shaped how the space feels to visitors walking around it.

Visitors can enter the courthouse through the main entrance on East Main Street to access the various rooms and offices inside. It is best to plan a visit during weekday business hours when all offices are staffed and available.

In 1929 the original bell-shaped cupola was removed and replaced with new octagonal sections added to the tower. This alteration changed the roofline and gave the tower a different appearance than what earlier generations saw.

GPS coordinates: 36.40650,-83.00630

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02