Banks County Courthouse

Photo: Keith Hair

Location: Homer

Date Built: 1860-63

Architectural Style: Greek Revival

Designer: Samuel W. Pruitt

Other Information: This two-story brick courthouse was used until a new courthouse was built in the block behind the old courthouse square. Banks County officials considered tearing down the old building to make room for a parking lot but decided to place the issue on the ballot in the fall 1988 election. Arising from a History Day project on the old courthouse, a Banks County High School student began a campaign to save the old building. Students raised money to print flyers to urge county residents to vote against demolishing the old courthouse. Flyers were distributed to every house in the county, and in the election Banks County favored saving the old building by almost two to one. resulting in a two-to-one vote to save the old building. Subsequently, count officials used the hotel-motel tax to restore the old courthouse and convert it to a museum and community meeting hall.

© Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Go to Banks County Courthouses page