Stories of the South - Chickasaw County Courthouse Houston, MS

One of the most beautiful features of Houston, Mississippi is the courthouse.  The original courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1863 and the current one was completed in 1909.  The design is Classical Revival and was designed by R.H. Hunt & Company.  Hunt designed many other churches, higher education buildings, public facilities, and several other courthouses in Mississippi during his career.  Yellow sandstone columns frame the main entrance and a clock tower completes the building which is topped with a gilded eagle facing east.  The clock still chimes hourly, twenty four hours a day. 

There's a story told that during the Civil War the county records were loaded in a wagon for removal and safekeeping as the Yankees were burning everything in sight and they wanted the papers somewhere safe before the Yankees came through Houston.  Before they could get safely away though, the county the records were captured and burned by union soldiers. 

I don't know about the wagon story, but I do know from family stories that Houston was occupied during the Civil War and much of the town was burned except for the Tabb House which was used as the Union headquarters while they were in town.  It would probably be more plausible that the papers were burned when the building was in 1863.    

The building is just as beautiful inside as it is on the outside by the way.  So if you're traveling north from say Starkville on highway 389, just stay north and see one of the prettiest court squares in North Mississippi.  But that's just my opinion of course. 

Until next time my lovelies!