The Old Courthouse
Union County, Georgia
The Union County Historical Society was Created in 1976 to preserve and promote the history and culture of Union County. This nonprofit organization is funded primarily through memberships and donations, with the proceeds used to:
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Preserve and interpret the historic heritage of Union County;
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maintain the organization's three historic structures-- The 1899 Courthouse, The 1906 Grapelle Butt Mock House, 1861 John Payne Cabin, 1840s Collins Cabin, and the Haralson Carr Law Office.
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Present cultural and educational programs and events, such as our musical concert series and the Mountain Heritage Festival.
History and Education about us
Union County Courthouse
The historic Union County Courthouse was built in 1899 and the center of debate. The taxes to pay for the new Courthouse were Levied all in one year: many residents had to sell their cattle and land to pay their taxes. The building was designed by J.W. Golucke, a noted courthouse architect for the day.
The handsome brick and granite structure still stands at the heart of the town square, a landmark now serving as a history museum and cultural center. The beautifully restored courtroom on the second floor is now use for our mountain music concerts. Friday evenings in the summer and fall, it rings with the delightful sounds of mountain music!
Mountain Life museum
The courthouse suffered year of neglect and was in a serious disrepair from the 1920's on. In 1960 the tower was removed due to Structural instability. the building was condemned in the 1970's but was saved from demolition by the Union County Historical Society. Since then, the historical Society has restored and maintained the Old Courthouse and is now involved in other preservation projects.
The clock and bell tower was replicated and replaced in November 2000. The courthouse clock chimes the time each day, much as it did at the beginning of the last century.
The Mountain Life Museum is located one block south of the Old Courthouse at the intersection of Cleveland Street and School Street. A large lawn frames the house with very large porch across the front and down the north side accented by columns no top of a stone wall foundation. The house was built in the early 1900's, the inside reminiscent of that era. There are scores of historical and decades-old items inside the house.
Behind the house are many structures. including a Civic War era cabin, a cabin built in the late 1800s, and the new Collins cabin built in the 1840s, two other structures that are used as a corn crib and blacksmith shop. A gift shop is located in the house. The annual Labor Day weekend Mountain Heritage Festival is held at the location to celebrate the mountain lifestyle with demonstration, activities for attendees to participate in. Vendors with a variety of handmade crafts, arts and food are present.
