Paris in Henry County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Henry County Courthouse

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 6, 2020

1. Henry County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1896 — West Tennessee's oldest working courthouse

Court-first held in Peter Wall's home in 1821. A log courthouse built in Clifty 1823. Two story brick courthouse erected on this land in 1825 and replaced in 1852.

The county's first murder led to the landmark "State vs. Grainger"case (1830) that set a precedent for self defense as the basis for appeal.

During the Civil War, Confederate military units were organized here in 1860 and also 1861. Union forces occupied the courthouse in 1862. Troops were sent from here in WWI and WWII.

Silver dollars donated by citizens are melted in the bell in the tower.

In war and peace this courthouse is the center of the community.

Erected 2012 by Captain Charles Barham Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and Colonel Gideon Macon Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement

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• War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists, and the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 36° 18.157′ N, 88° 19.538′ W. Marker is in Paris, Tennessee, in Henry County. Marker is at the intersection of West Washington Street and North Poplar Street, on the right when traveling east on West Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 West Washington Street, Paris TN 38242, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); Henry County Courthouse / Henry County (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Bobby Jones (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Edwin Wiley Grove (about 700 feet away); Slave (about 800 feet away); Paris City Cemetery (about 800 feet away); James Davis Porter (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . . Grainger v. State. Tennessee Encyclopedia entry on the 1830 case, also known as the "timid hunter"

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 6, 2020

2. Henry County Courthouse Marker

case. By the Tennessee Historical Society. (Submitted on September 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.