Lancaster County Courthouse (South Carolina)

Lancaster County Courthouse
Lancaster County Courthouse
Location: 104 N. Main St., Lancaster, South Carolina
Built: 1828
Architect: Robert Mills
Architectural style: Classical Revival, Other
Governing body: Local
NRHP Reference#: 71000788
Significant dates
Added to NRHP: February 24, 1971[1]
Designated NHL: November 7, 1973[2]

Lancaster County Courthouse is a building that is attributed to the architect Robert Mills. "In continuous use as a courthouse since its completion in 1828, it features fine reeded woodwork and vaulted ceilings."[2] "A series of double barrel brick vaults supports the second floor and forms the ceiling of the first."

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.[2][3]

It may be included within the Lancaster Downtown Historic District, also listed on the National Register.

At approximately 5 a.m. on Aug. 4, 2008, the courthouse was heavily damaged, but not destroyed by fire caused by arson, and will be rebuilt.[4]

On September 19, 2008, a local 17-year-old, Martavious Carter, admitted to setting the fire while being interviewed for other crimes, he had recently committed.

The courthouse has the distinction of being the site of the last witch trials to take place in the United States.[5]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
  2. ^ a b c "Lancaster County Courthouse". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1151&ResourceType=Building. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
  3. ^ Norman McCorkle (August 29, 1970), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Lancaster County CourthousePDF (32 KB), National Park Service  and Accompanying three photos, exterior and interior, from 1970 and 1973PDF (32 KB)
  4. ^ Tran, Susan (5 August 2008). "Historic Building To Be Rebuilt After Arson In Lancaster". Lancaster, S.C.: WSOC-TV. http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17102775/detail.html. 
  5. ^ http://chesterfield-sc.com/History%2008.htm

External links