2003 - Jefferson County Court House, Charles Town, WV

The original County Seat of Jefferson County, Charles Town was charted in 1786 and named after Colonel Charles Washington, brother of the first President. The Courthouse was built to accommodate the rapid growth in Jefferson County. Originally constructed in 1836 in the Greek Doric style, this landmark stands today on land donated by the Washington Family. The tumultuous 1800’s took its toll on the Charles Town Courthouse. October 16, 1859 was John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry and resulted in the most famous treason trial in history. The Charles Town Courthouse was the site of the trial and guilty verdict and only a few blocks away from the subsequent hanging of abolitionist John Brown and his coconspirators. There have been three treason trials in United States history; two were tried in the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The Civil War turned Jefferson County into a battleground – and this convinced the County Fathers to remove all valuable papers and records from the Court House. With the war surrounding Charles Town, the Courthouse was abandoned and used to quarter both Federal troops and horses. Since many federal troops were located in Shepherdstown and vital records needed to be protected, the County Seat was moved there until 1871. A bitter political battle for the County Seat erupted between Shepherdstown and Charles Town after the war, ending with the return of the County Seat to Charles Town.

The war damage, along with prolonged exposure to wind and rain, put the Courthouse in need of serious repair and was thus rebuilt at a cost of $21,179. Renovations to the original building included heightening of the existing brick walls and the addition of larger second story windows. A broad cornice was added, significantly raising the roof so as to accommodate the increase in building height. The Doric columns under the front portico were extended, topped off with additional brick and plaster. Interior renovations allowed the Court House to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The editor of the Shepherdstown Register is quoted as saying, “…very highly pleased with the good taste and excellent workmanship apparent in all its parts.”

1921 marked yet another noteworthy event for the Jefferson County Courthouse. The coal mine strikes for unionization and the Battle of Blair Mountain resulted in a second set of treason trials for Charles Town. Moved from the Southern part of West Virginia, this trial convicted only three individuals for various crimes against man and government. The Jefferson County Courthouse has gracefully withstood war, trials, neglect and time. Today, the Jefferson County Courthouse remains an active Courthouse and stands as a working tribute to democracy.