Historic Franklin, Tenn. Courthouse Reopens
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Williamson County Courthouse, built in 1858 and very much a part of Franklin’s Civil War history, began reopening in September after a two-year $6.2 million renovation. It is one of six original courthouses still standing in Tennessee. “The facility is still not totally complete but we are able to move some of our offices into the structure,” says County Mayor Rogers Anderson. Noting this is the building’s fourth renovation, he said they did not find any artifacts to tie the building to the war years. Any period graffiti and such were removed years ago, with the exception of some 1940s glassware, according to county property manager Al Ritter. The two-story brick Greek Revival courthouse has all new heating and air systems and is completely wired for any computer uses, says Ritter. It meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. “We have done everything we can to make this building functional while preserving its historic charm,” Mayor Anderson says. “And it will remain the centerpiece of the square and the history of this town.” The restored building, which had a long history as the main courthouse, will house the sheriff and warrants offices. Most of the judicial activity takes place in the city’s judicial center built in 2005 just a few blocks away. The refurbished main courtroom, with its extensive hardwood décor and terrazzo floors, will be used mostly for community meetings. “It is the centerpiece of the building,” says Ritter. The courthouse replaced a log structure that had been on the square’s center. The building and its massive metal columns, forged at a local foundry during construction, are a key characteristic of the city of Franklin square. The courthouse had an integral part in Franklin civic life and played a major role in wartime and reconstruction Franklin. It survived fires and tornados, not to mention roving armies and nearby combat. “The courthouse was occupied by the Union Provost Marshal after Franklin was occupied in 1863,” says county historian Rick Warwick. Like virtually every building in the area after the Nov. 30, 1864, battle and retreat actions after the Battle of Nashville two weeks later, the courthouse was used as a hospital. Dozens of wounded were treated in its courtrooms. Not only were injured from the Franklin fighting initially treated there, but many wounded were housed for many weeks to come, further traumatizing the battle-weary residents. Some accounts suggest Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest rode into the square during a raid and freed Confederate prisoners whom Union occupiers held in the courthouse. Warwick relates that the courthouse had some postwar notoriety when a tense 1867 election rally outside its doors broke out into a riot that took the life of an African American spectator. Tension was high between Confederate veterans and a black candidate for office at the time The courthouse also housed the postwar Freedmen’s Bureau.
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