Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi)

The Stone County Courthouse was constructed in 1917-18 and serves as the seat of county government for Stone County, Mississippi. The courthouse was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 1996.

Stone County Courthouse
Stone County Courthouse, 2013
Location323 East Cavers Avenue
Wiggins, Mississippi 39577[1]
Coordinates30.8566°N 89.1344°W / 30.8566; -89.1344
Area2.8 acres (1.1 ha)[2]
Built1917-18
ArchitectXavier A. Kramer[3]
Governing bodyStone County, Mississippi
DesignatedJuly 23, 1996
Reference no.131-WIG-0001-ML[4]
Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi) is located in Mississippi
Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi)
Location of Stone County Courthouse in Mississippi
Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi) is located in the United States
Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi)
Stone County Courthouse (Mississippi) (the United States)

History

Stone County was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1916. One of the first acts by the new county’s Board of Supervisors was to award a contract for construction of the county courthouse.[5] Constructed by Standard Construction Company of Meridian, Mississippi,[3] the courthouse was completed in March 1918, at a cost of US$29,515.18[6] (equivalent to $574,237 in 2022). Within the two-story structure, the lower floor was divided into county offices, and the upper floor served as the courtroom. Offices of the sheriff, tax collector, circuit clerk, and chancery clerk were once located on the first floor. The courthouse was used continuously throughout the 20th century, with modifications that included first-floor extensions on each end of the building.

By the year 2000, the courthouse was in need of renovation. It received a Community Heritage Preservation Grant in 2002 and a Save America’s Treasures grant in 2003.[7] Upgrades included an elevator, a youth court, and internet access.[8] Renovation of the building was completed in September 2004 at a cost of $2.4 million.[8]

Courthouse grounds

The original county jail was built just south of the courthouse. After the structure was abandoned as a jail in the late 20th century, it was renovated to house county offices.

Two memorials are located on the courthouse grounds. One honors Stone County citizens killed in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism.[9] The second memorial is a tribute to Mississippians who received the Medal of Honor.[10]

  • Stone County Courthouse, circa 1920
    Stone County Courthouse, circa 1920
  • Old Stone County Jail
    Old Stone County Jail
  • Medal of Honor Memorial (left) & War Memorial (right)
    Medal of Honor Memorial (left) & War Memorial (right)

References
  1. Welcome to Stone County, MS Retrieved 2013-08-30
  2. Stone County, MS Tax Map Retrieved 2013-08-30
  3. Architectural Information for Stone County Courthouse Archived 2015-02-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2013-08-29
  4. "Mississippi Landmarks, Stone County". Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  5. Stone County, built on the backs of farmers and loggers Retrieved 2013-08-29
  6. Stone County Timeline Retrieved 2013-08-29
  7. MDAH Historic Resources Inventory Fact Sheet (Stone County Courthouse) Retrieved 2013-08-29
  8. Stone County Courthouse gets major facelift Retrieved 2013-08-29
  9. Stone County War Memorial Update Retrieved 2013-08-29
  10. Stone County Medal of Honor Memorial Retrieved 2013-08-29
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