|
|
Forsyth, Georgia Built in 1896; Architectural Style: High Victorian Eclectic Monroe County’s first courthouse was built in Forsyth in 1825. The building was characterized as a two-story, front gable, brick bearing structure with round arch doorways. This building served the county until 1896 when it was torn down to make way for the construction of the present courthouse, a High Victorian Eclectic style building designed by Atlanta architects Bruce and Morgan and built by the Knoxville Building and Construction Company. County History: Monroe County was created on May 15, 1821 by an act of the General Assembly (GA Laws 1821 Extra Session, p.3) from Creek Indian land that had been ceded under the Treaty of Indian Springs. The original Monroe County included all of what would become Pike county, Upson County, and parts of Bibb, Butts, and Spalding Counties. Georgia’s 50th county was named for James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States and author of the Monroe Doctrine. County Seat: Forsyth – On February 18, 1823, 202 ˝ acres were purchased from John T. Booth for $700 to form the town. The original city limits were within a ˝ mile radius of the courthouse; this was increased to one mile in 1907. Named for John Forsyth, who as minister to Spain negotiated the purchase of Florida in 1819. His political career included the posts of Governor of the State of Georgia and U.S. Secretary of State. Photo courtesy of Brent Lanford, Middle Georgia Regional Development Center. |
