Town Population Increases ... Move Deemed Necessary

Town Population Increases ... Move Deemed Necessary. A new Courthouse of greater size was necessary to meet the demands of a growing community. In 1805 Martin Armstrong deeded a town lot at the north end of the Public Square (lot 60) to commissioners Hayden Wells, Robert Dunning, George Neville, and Francis Prince for construction of a Courthouse. By 1811, a two-story, 1,936 square foot (44 ft. x 44 ft.) brick Courthouse with a stone foundation was built for $9,500. The lower level was one large room with an l8 foot high ceiling. The upper level, with 12 foot high ceilings, was divided into five rooms., On January 21, 1811, the county court adjourned to the new brick building that would also serve as a meeting place for the public. Elections, public auctions and church services were held here. Many congregations worshiped in this Courthouse as there were few denominational church buildings. The bell in this courthouse was rung only by the sheriff or his deputies to either open or close sessions of the county courts or to open auction sales of property for unpaid taxes, Others were permitted to ring the bell in case of fire or to publicize worship services by any visiting minister., In October 1838, John Poston offered a lot on the north side of Main Street, near the Methodist Church (334 Main Street), for a new Courthouse. However, the decision was made to repair the 1811 Courthouse and in 1839 $2,000 was allocated for that purpose., This second structure served as the seat of justice until the third Courthouse on Franklin Street was completed in 1843 (lot 93). County officials Peter Priestly, N. F. Trice, Albert G. Wheatley, James Reasons and Thomas Ramey authorized the 1811 Courthouse on the square to be sold in March to the highest bidder. Finally, in November of l843, the corporation of Clarksville took "the Courthouse off the hands of former purchaser John D. Everett.", Captions: , Left: Comprised of what would later become a great part of the core of downtown Clarksville was the original survey completed by Martin Armstrong. Washington Street was later changed to College Street. , Right: The Poston Building, constructed in 1843 on Public Square, has witnessed Clarksville and Montgomery County history for generations., Map legend: , First Courthouse - 1796 Adjacent to Lot 13 , James Adams was contracted to build a Courthouse on property adjoining his home. , Second Courthouse , 1811 Lot 60 - In 1805, Martin Armstrong deeded property on which a brick Courthouse was later constructed. , Third courthouse - 1843 Lot 93 - County Commissioners were authorized to purchase this lot in 1841 and to contract for the building of a new Courthouse. , Fourth courthouse - 1879 Lots 137-140 – The restored Courthouse remains on this site. The property has been expanded and includes a Courts Center completed in 2002.