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In the center of Thomaston stands the Upson County
Courthouse. The first courthouse was built on this spot in 1826-28 at a
contract price of $10,000. In 1852 it was observed that cracks were
appearing in the walls of the building to such an alarming extent that it
was deemed necessary to tear the courthouse down and erect a new one. The
bricks from the former building were used, but there was only a sufficient
quantity to build one story; the second story was built of wood. This
building served the needs of the community until 1908 when the present
courthouse was constructed at a cost approximately $60,000 without a bond
issue. Frank P. Milburn & Co of Washington D.C. were the architects and Goude & Co. of Atlanta, Ga. were the builders. According to legend,
the County Commissioners placed a $10 bill in one of the columns so the
county would never be broke.
On the courthouse
lawn stands several historical monuments. P. W. Alexander, a local
lawyer and Confederate War correspondent, who was at the bombardment of Fort
Sumter, sent the White family (of the Pettigrew-White-Stamps House) a
cannonball, said to be the first one fired. It is mounted on the monument at
the southeast corner. Also located on the courthouse lawn, is a statue of a
confederate soldier commemorating Georgia's role in this part of America's
history.
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