FRANK P. INGRAM

ADMINISTRATOR

W. A. McMULLEN, Jr.

ASST. ADMINISTRATOR

FLORIDA WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION

(STATE OFFICE)

EXCHANGE BUILDING

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  

PLEASE ADDRESS REPLY: ATTENTION

SUWANNEE COUNTY COURT HOUSES

Suwannee County was created December 21, 1858. The territory of which it was formed was originally a part of East Florida, then of Duval County, then of Columbia County.

Its first County seat was Houston, about six miles east of the present site of Live Oak, and its first Court House was built there in 1859. Before the Court House was built, a planter by the name of Alexander, who lived 1 1/2 miles north of Houston, allowed his residence to be used as a Court House.

In 1868 it was decided to move the county seat to Live Oak. In the County Commissioners' minutes of October, 1868 is recorded the following:

"On motion John W. Rice, Judge of the county court was empowered  to have made a table and two benches 10 feet long each, table 10 feet long and 4 feet wide, also 6 ballot boxes with lock and keys, and purchase 6 chairs.

"Mr. Conner proposed to rent the Baptist church to the county to use as a Court House until a Court House is built at the following rates: $2.00 per day for the Circuit Court and $1.00 per day for County and Commissioners' Court, provided the Justice of Peace pay all damages to building and furniture, which proposal was accepted and [the terms] agreed on so far as the Circuit, County, and Commissioners' Courts are specified.

"On motion, the Sheriff was authorized and empowered to rent a suitable house to use as a temporary jail and to employ such numbers of guards as necessary to keep in safe custody all prisoners in his charge, and send his account therefore."

In Deed Book "B", page 261, is recorded the deed made on May 14, 1869 from Nancy M. Parshley to the County Commissioners of Suwannee County for the site for a Court House. A small frame building was erected on this site. This building was later sold and torn down. The old wooden building on the site on southwest corner opposite the present Court House was built from the material.

JUL 6 1937

page 2

In County Commissioners' Minute Book #3, page 279 is recorded the following:

"The Board of County Commissioners met in a special session and were called at 10:00 A. M. by the chairman. Present--Davis, Rye, Blackman, and Jackson. The object of their meeting being to select a site for a new Court House building and to attend to such other matters  as might come before the Board the following proceedings were had, to wit: It was on motion ordered that the new Court House building be erected upon the lot now occupied as a Court House site. It was on motion ordered that the old Court House building be given to the estate of J. F. White upon condition that they have the same removed at once from the lot and that they erect the same upon their lands and give the county the use of said building until said new building is erected. It was further ordered by the Board that the vault be and the same is hereby given to Commer Bryson upon condition that he have a brick building erected from the same upon his lot and to be used by the Clerk of the Circuit Court until the completion of the new building. It was ordered that the closet be given to the City Marshal to be erected on premises selected by him.

A. Lee Humphrey

Chairman "

The new Court House was built in 1904 at a cost of $41,300--1/8 down and 1/8 every year for seven years. No bonds were issued. The Court House is a commodious two-story structure, the first floor being given over to the county officials for their offices. On the upper floor is the large court room with smaller rooms adjoining. Some new equipment is needed especially in the office of the Tax Assessor.

The first recorded minutes of the County Commissioners are dated October, 1868.

JUL 6 1937