The Habersham County Commissioners recently held a public Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future plans for what has recently become known as, “the Old County Courthouse.” Now Habersham is providing readers detailed information further in this story to explain the five options that were presented in the public forum.
But first, and far more important for our readers who may not be familiar with the complicated legacy and dark history of Habersham County courthouses, here is the back story.
Prior to the current, primary Habersham County Courthouse, located in Clarkesville on Llewellyn Street, hidden away behind the Habersham County School Administration building, and typically called, “The New Habersham Courthouse” the “Old County Courthouse” was built at 555 Monroe Street, located on the west side of the town square.
This building, now used for some Habersham County administrative offices including the Commissioner’s Office, is the building that was the subject of the recent “what to do with” meeting. Its love quotient, our ability to embrace it, is reflected in the Three Dog Night tune, “It Ain’t Easy.”
It is important that the authentic “Old Habersham County Courthouse,” which was located near the same location on Monroe Street until 1963, be recognized, as there are lessons to be learned from our sometimes misguided Habersham history pertaining to courthouse legacy.
Habersham County’s courthouse history
The following is from GeorgiaInfo.galleo.usg.edu:
“Habersham County’s first courthouse was a small wooden structure built in 1821 in the town square of Clarkesville. In 1832, this building was moved to the side of the square, where it became a bank, and in its place a new two-story brick courthouse of simple design was constructed. This building served until 1898, when it was damaged by a mysterious explosion. That same year, the old courthouse was torn down and a large two-story brick courthouse with clock tower constructed in its place. In 1963, this courthouse was torn down and Habersham’s fourth courthouse was built the following year in the adjacent block. A combination bell tower/elevator was added to the front of the courthouse in 1983.”
Habersham County’s Courthouses
In relationship to the recent Habersham County Commissioner’s public forum as to what shall become of the old courthouse on Monroe Street, it is important to recall the community angst that was created in 1964, with the building of the huge brick Monstrosity (this reporter is being gentle in word choice). Some say the faux brass clock tower/elevator shaft was constructed to appease angry citizens who lamented for the charming 1898-1963 courthouse and its clock tower.
So with mysterious explosions, angry tear downs, a discarded Monstrosity, a new “off the path and hidden” courthouse, the Commissioners are now attempting to determine what to do next in the ongoing saga of Habersham Courthouses.
Options
The June 13th forum included a detailed assessment of the existing old county courthouse. It outlines a number of structural flaws and the building’s non-compliance with current codes and regulations.
According to that assessment, the roof is leaking, mold is growing inside the building, the outside stairs are crumbling, the deteriorated pavement and sidewalks are beyond repair, handicap parking and accessibility do not meet regulations and the list goes on and on.
To read the full assessment click here or view the slide show below.
The architectural assessment makes it abundantly clear that Habersham County owns an odd, poorly designed building that is non-functional. Most at the meeting agreed that saving the structure as-is would be a poor choice.
Here are five options being considered:
A) Existing Administration Building-Major Renovation
B) Alternate Site near New Courthouse
C) Alternate Site- 4306 Toccoa Highway
D) Existing Site-Demolition and Re-build
E) Other New Alternate Site: Jacob’s Way
Opinion
In my opinion the right thing to do, the high road, for our own moral vindication, would be to tear down (quickly) the current building at 555 Monroe Street, remove it from our courthouse nightmare, and move the current administrative offices to the vacated “old” Ingles Food Store building in Clarkesville, or rebuild elsewhere.
Then, with this public pardon, which absolves us from our own courthouse sins, we should re-build in detail the charming 1898-1963 courthouse with its original clock tower, in place of the brick Monstrosity. This then, should become the new Habersham County Visitor’s Center, administrative offices…adjacent to the beloved Habersham Gazebo and Gardens (possibly to be developed).
Perhaps a Citizens Task Force should be appointed including specialists: an architect, public space planner, business leaders, and citizens who would make a recommendation to the Commission.
Whatever the citizens of Habersham and the Commissioners finally decide to do, it is important not to continue the Courthouse Nightmare, but to make a wise and welcomed decision that is a benefit and not a liability to our community.
