Thanks for helping the city of Pickens celebrate our 150th anniversary!
Pickens County town-life has always centered around courthouse events. The first county courthouse was erected between 1868 and 1869 when the county divided and Pickens relocated from Old Pickens 14 miles away. One black railing from the courthouse in Old Pickens was used in this “new” courthouse. (The other railing went to the courthouse in Oconee County.) A second courthouse was built on the same site in 1891.
The third and current courthouse was built in 1959. In 1996, a project added an addition to the current courthouse. The project consisted of a complete renovation of the existing courthouse as well as a three story, 30,000 square-foot addition. The addition was constructed on the south side (the back side) of the original building, and the main entry secure access to the courthouse was moved to the south.
The original front entrance is no longer used. The new addition on the back features a prominent semi-circular new entrance with the Veteran’s Memorial garden to one side. The Veteran’s Memorial Garden is a site to see in itself with a tribute to all Pickens County soldiers who have lost their lives in any war.