First Columbia County Courthouse, Federal-style courthouse in Claverack, United States.
The First Columbia County Courthouse is a two-story brick building with symmetrical design and fluted columns framing the entrance portico beneath a metal-clad gabled roof. The structure sits on a spacious lot along NY 23B and has been adapted into residential apartments while keeping its original exterior intact.
Built in 1786 by mason William Ludlow, this structure served as the judicial center of Columbia County in its early years. The county seat relocated to Hudson two decades later, ending the building's role as the primary courthouse.
The courthouse hosted a significant libel trial where the future president Martin Van Buren argued a case that shaped early American legal thinking. This event made the building a landmark of judicial importance in the young nation.
The building sits along NY 23B and is easy to spot from the road, though it now functions as a private residence. You can see and photograph the exterior, but the interior is not open to the public for visits.
The building blends Federal architecture from its original 1786 construction with Greek Revival features added during 19th-century renovations. This layering of different styles shows how the structure evolved as architectural tastes changed over time.
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