A New Life for the Historic Lawrence County Courthouse

Lawrence County’s 52-year-old courthouse will soon undergo significant exterior improvements after receiving a $500,000 state rehabilitation grant, matched by $55,555 in local funds.

The project will clean, repair and seal the building’s exterior, restore the clock and bell tower to working order, and prepare the original structure — excluding the jail addition — for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

Eleven counties were selected from 33 applicants statewide. The South Central Tennessee Development District wrote and will administer the grant for Lawrence, Maury and Giles counties. Other recipients include Dickson, Pickett, Chester, Lauderdale, Morgan, Polk, Scott and Weakley counties.

Built in 1974, the Lawrence County courthouse is the youngest among the grant recipients. To qualify, courthouses had to be at least 50 years old.

Visible improvements will include balcony repairs above the Sheriff’s Department entrance and a restored clock that will again chime on the hour. Additional work will address water damage, deteriorated joints and failed caulking around windows, granite panels and concrete pillars. Once repairs are complete, the exterior will be cleaned and sealed to help prevent future deterioration.

Interior improvements are planned following completion of the exterior work. Those efforts will focus on enhancing security while preserving the courthouse’s Modernist architectural features.

County officials thanked commissioners and those involved in the grant process for their support of the project.