Colleton County Courthouse (Walterboro, South Carolina)

 courthouse, 1820s construction, Greek Revival (architecture), historical building

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The Colleton County Courthouse is significant architecturally as a fine example of Greek Revival architecture whose design is attributed to Robert Mills and built by J. and B. Lucas, noted Charleston contractors. Constructed in 1820, the Colleton County Courthouse is a handsomely designed brick building stuccoed to represent stone. The entrance façade contains curved stairways with ironwork railings leading to a raised portico with an ironwork balustrade.

Much history has been made in this courthouse and many important people have visited here. One visitor who was expected, but never arrived, was General William T. Sherman. During his march through SC in 1865, many believed he would come to Walterboro, and they feared the courthouse would be destroyed.

Legend says the records were loaded on a two-horse wagon to be taken to Columbia for safekeeping! And you know what happened to Columbia. So whether the records reached Columbia and were burned or dumped into the Edisto River as tradition suggested, we all know that is very difficult to research the records prior to 1865. If only the records had been left within the sturdy walls of this building, they would have been safe and secure and answered many questions about our history.

P.O. Box 620
101 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
Phone: (843) 549-5791
Fax: (843) 549-2875
Email: pgrant@colletoncounty.org

www.colletoncounty.org/secondary.aspx?pageID=189
www.nationalregister.sc.gov/colleton/S10817715001/index...