Abbeville County Courthouse
a.k.a. See Also:Abbeville Historic District;Abbeville Historic Dist
Court Sq., Abbeville, SCAbbeville County Courthouse was built in 1908, to replace an earlier courthouse destroyed by fire. William Augustus Edwards, of the Atlanta firm of Edwards and Walter, was the architect and Frederic Minshall of Abbeville was the contractor.
The courthouse is a monumental two-story brick building, located on the public square of Abbeville. The facade is characterized by a projecting entrance pavilion with a colossal Ionic portico in antis, of stone construction. The portico has two pairs of unfluted stone columns, with Scamozzi capitals, which support a full entablature, composed of an architrave consisting of three fascias; a plain frieze; and a cornice composed of a bead-and-reel astragal, a cyma recta with leaf-and-tongue carving, a dentil course, a bead-and-reel astragal, an egg-and-dart ovolo, a soffit and corona, a cyma reversa, a fillet, and a crowning cyma recta. This entablature is carried around the entire elevation unifying and ordering its elements.
The facade beneath the portico is of brick, laid in American Flemish bond, with raked joints. A wooden arch encompasses both levels of the central bay of the facade; the central entrance on the first floor has new glass doors, while the casement Windows of the second story are original. The single bays flanking the entrance pavilion have similar arches encompassing the casement Windows of the first and second stories. A broad brick attic story rises above the entablature; this attic story bears a stone course inscribed "ABBEVILLE COUNTY COURT HOUSE."
The left side elevation has a central, recessed, three-bay section with a flanking single-bay pavilion towards the front and a three-bay pavilion towards the rear. The sloping lot allows for two full basement levels at the rear of the building. The facade entablature in full is carried around the foremost pavilion; only the cornice is carried around the rest of the side elevation. The broad arched windows of the second story of the side elevation mark the courtroom. The lesser windows of the side elevation have flat brick arches with stone key and terminal voussoirs. This fenestration is carried out over the rear elevation, which, owing to the sloping site, and the full expression of the attic story, has five full stories.
The right side elevation has a brick arcade, connecting the courthouse to the adjacent opera house and municipal office building, which was designed by Edwards and which uses many of the same compositional elements and details. The junction between the two buildings has been filled with further expansion of the courthouse, on two stories.
The Abbeville County Courthouse has a longitudinal hall, d county offices are located on either side of this hall. A stair is located at either end of the hall. The front stair has paneled newel posts and a sawn balustrade. A dentil cornice enriches the hallway. The courtroom occupies most of the second story. The three arched windows of the left side elevation are reflected in three blind arches on the right side. Roman Doric pilasters alternate with the arches. A heavy tabernacle frame behind the judge's seat features three stained glass windows; this frame is flanked by pedimented doorways leading from the judge's chambers. The pilasters carry a dentil cornice and the main roof beams; the ceiling itself is acoustical tile. The audience seats are of bent plywood on metal frames.
The courthouse was renovated in 1964 by Lyles, Bissett, Carlisle, and Wolff of Columbia.
Local significance of the building:
The courthouse is a monumental two-story brick building, located on the public square of Abbeville. The facade is characterized by a projecting entrance pavilion with a colossal Ionic portico in antis, of stone construction. The portico has two pairs of unfluted stone columns, with Scamozzi capitals, which support a full entablature, composed of an architrave consisting of three fascias; a plain frieze; and a cornice composed of a bead-and-reel astragal, a cyma recta with leaf-and-tongue carving, a dentil course, a bead-and-reel astragal, an egg-and-dart ovolo, a soffit and corona, a cyma reversa, a fillet, and a crowning cyma recta. This entablature is carried around the entire elevation unifying and ordering its elements.
The facade beneath the portico is of brick, laid in American Flemish bond, with raked joints. A wooden arch encompasses both levels of the central bay of the facade; the central entrance on the first floor has new glass doors, while the casement Windows of the second story are original. The single bays flanking the entrance pavilion have similar arches encompassing the casement Windows of the first and second stories. A broad brick attic story rises above the entablature; this attic story bears a stone course inscribed "ABBEVILLE COUNTY COURT HOUSE."
The left side elevation has a central, recessed, three-bay section with a flanking single-bay pavilion towards the front and a three-bay pavilion towards the rear. The sloping lot allows for two full basement levels at the rear of the building. The facade entablature in full is carried around the foremost pavilion; only the cornice is carried around the rest of the side elevation. The broad arched windows of the second story of the side elevation mark the courtroom. The lesser windows of the side elevation have flat brick arches with stone key and terminal voussoirs. This fenestration is carried out over the rear elevation, which, owing to the sloping site, and the full expression of the attic story, has five full stories.
The right side elevation has a brick arcade, connecting the courthouse to the adjacent opera house and municipal office building, which was designed by Edwards and which uses many of the same compositional elements and details. The junction between the two buildings has been filled with further expansion of the courthouse, on two stories.
The Abbeville County Courthouse has a longitudinal hall, d county offices are located on either side of this hall. A stair is located at either end of the hall. The front stair has paneled newel posts and a sawn balustrade. A dentil cornice enriches the hallway. The courtroom occupies most of the second story. The three arched windows of the left side elevation are reflected in three blind arches on the right side. Roman Doric pilasters alternate with the arches. A heavy tabernacle frame behind the judge's seat features three stained glass windows; this frame is flanked by pedimented doorways leading from the judge's chambers. The pilasters carry a dentil cornice and the main roof beams; the ceiling itself is acoustical tile. The audience seats are of bent plywood on metal frames.
The courthouse was renovated in 1964 by Lyles, Bissett, Carlisle, and Wolff of Columbia.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
South Carolina was a major center of the transatlantic slave trade. Charleston was one of the busiest ports for the importation of enslaved Africans in North America, with an estimated 40% of all enslaved Africans brought to the United States passing through the city.
About Abbeville County
Abbeville County Timeline
Abbeville County, South Carolina, has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek nations. European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, and Abbeville County was officially established in 1785. It was named after the French town of Abbeville, possibly due to its resemblance to the area's lush landscapes.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Abbeville County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Abbeville County, South Carolina.
- 1760: Abbeville County is established as part of Ninety-Six District in South Carolina.
- 1780-1781: Abbeville County is heavily impacted by the American Revolutionary War.
- 1785: The town of Abbeville is officially chartered.
- 1791: Abbeville County becomes part of the new state of South Carolina.
- 1822: Abbeville County plays a role in the Nullification Crisis, a conflict between the state and federal government over tariffs.
- 1860s: Abbeville County is affected by the American Civil War.
- 1872: Abbeville County experiences economic growth with the arrival of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad.
- 1898-1900: Abbeville County witnesses the rise of the Populist Party and the implementation of reforms.
- 1950s: Abbeville County undergoes racial tensions and civil rights movement.
- 2018: Abbeville County celebrates its 250th anniversary.