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Other Information: Clayton County was created in late 1858. It is not known what served as county courthouse for the first two years, but in 1861 county officials had a wooden courthouse built one block north of the railroad depot. This structure was burned in 1864 during Sherman's March
to the Sea. In 1869, a new two-story brick courthouse
(see
photo) was built on the site of the 1861 courthouse. This courthouse was used until 1898, when it became a Masonic
lodge (a function it still serves today). In 1898, a new and
larger two-story brick courthouse with clock tower was built one block to the south.
By 1962, need for space led county officials to build a new
addition around the 1898 courthouse, which also continued in
use. The result was a courthouse resembling a college dormitory that surrounded most of
the historic courthouse (see photos).
In 1998, Clayton County officials authorized
a new Clayton County judicial complex and a restoration of the 1898
courthouse to its original appearance.
Clayton County's new judicial complex--officially known
as the Harold R. Banke Justice Center--opened on Nov. 4, 2000 (see photo).
In January 2001, contracts were awarded for restoring the former
courthourse and removing all the 1962 addition except for the
old jail. By late February, most of the 1962 courthouse had been
torn down (see photo
1, photo
2, and photo
3). Subsequently, the extereior and interior of the 1898 courthouse were restored. Also, a building of similar design was built adjacent to the north side of the courthouse to provide additional office space. Still, space is limited, and many departments of Clayton County's government are located in facilities outside the historic courthouse complex.
Although the 1898 building is designated as the Clayton County Courthouse, the building no longer houses courtrooms or judges. Non-judicial county departments are housed here, the adjoining courthouse addition, and the courthouse annex at the rear. No judges, clerks, or courtrooms are located in the historic courthouse. Instead, all state and county courts are housed in the Banke Justice Center.
County Creation Historical
Marker: Click
here
County History:
Clayton County was established on Nov. 30, 1858 by an act of
the General Assembly (Ga. Laws 1858, p. 26). Created from portions
of Fayette and Henry counties, Clayton County's original boundaries
were specified as:
Commencing at the northwest corner of lot of land Number six
(6) in the original thirteenth (13th) district of Henry county
now Fayette, the dividing line between the counties of Fayette
and Fulton. Thence due east along said line to the north-east
of lot of land Number two hundred and forty-eight (248) in the
original twelfth district of Henry county. Thence due south to
the south-east corner of lot of land Number seventy-three (73)
in said district of said county. Thence due west to the south-east
corner of lot of land Number seventy-five (75) in said district.
Thence due south to the south-east corner of lot of land Number
one hundred and fifty-five (155) in the original sixth district
of said county of Henry. Thence due west to the county line between
Henry and Fayette. Thence down said line south to the Spalding
county line. Thence due west along said line between Fayette
and Spalding to the middle of Flint River. Thence up the stream
of said river to the point where Camp Creek empties into said
Flint river. Thence up said Camp Creek to the south-west corner
of lot of land one hundred and eighty-five (185) in the original
thirteenth (13th) district of Henry but now Fayette county. Thence
due west, and that the said south line running west terminates
at the south-west corner of lot of land Number 187 in 13th district
of Fayette. Thence north to Fulton line between lots Numbers
five and six in the 13th district of Fayette, to the beginning
point.
Georgia's 127th county was named for former Georgia judge
and congressman Augustin
Clayton (1783-1839), who was a strong proponent of states
rights and vocal opponent of tariffs and the national bank.
County Seat:
The Nov. 30, 1858 act creating Clayton County designated
Jonesboro as county seat.The community was settled in the early
1820s in what was then Fayette County. In 1823, local leaders
named the town Leaksville in recognition of Garlington Leak,
a respected member of their community. When the Central of Georgia
Railroad decided to have its Macon-Atlanta tracks run through
Leaksville, local residents decided to rename the town Jonesborough
to honor railroad civil engineer Capt. Samuel Jones, who apparently
was responsible for Leaksville being picked as a railroad depot.
On Dec. 13, 1859, the legislature incorporated Jonesboro (Ga.
Laws 1859, p. 175).
Maps
Size of County (Total
Area): 144.3 square miles
County Rank in Total
Area: 157th out of 159
Population:
Clayton County
City of Jonesboro
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