Standing proudly in the heart of downtown Pickens, the Pickens County Courthouse is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the county. Thousands of people drive past it every week, but many never stop to consider the stories hidden behind its brick walls and white columns.
Here are ten things you may not know about one of Pickens County’s most important buildings.
1. The Courthouse Is Not the First One
The current courthouse is actually one of several courthouses that have served Pickens County throughout its history. When Pickens County was formed in 1868, the county seat moved from Old Pickens near the Keowee River to its present location in the City of Pickens. A new courthouse was built to serve the growing county.
2. Pickens Was Once Known as “Pickens Court House”
Before it became simply “Pickens,” the community was commonly called Pickens Court House because the courthouse served as the center of government, business, and community life. In many ways, the town grew around the courthouse itself.
3. The Courthouse Sits on Historic Ground
The courthouse stands near the center of a town that was literally relocated after the creation of modern Pickens County. Some residents moved their homes from Old Pickens to the new county seat, helping establish the downtown area we know today.
4. It Was Built to Make a Statement
The courthouse’s symmetrical design, large columns, and cupola were intended to project stability, justice, and civic pride. During the early twentieth century, courthouses were often designed to be the most impressive building in town.
5. The Clock Tower Isn’t Actually a Clock Tower
Many visitors refer to the structure above the roof as a clock tower, but it is technically a cupola. Cupolas were common architectural features on government buildings and often served as decorative landmarks visible from across town.
6. Nearly Every Major County Decision Has Passed Through These Doors
For decades, county government meetings, court proceedings, property records, marriage licenses, and countless legal decisions have taken place inside the courthouse. Generations of Pickens County residents have visited the building for some of life’s most important moments.
7. The Courthouse Has Witnessed More Than a Century of Change
When the courthouse first opened, automobiles were still relatively uncommon. Since then it has witnessed the rise of Clemson University, the textile boom, the arrival of Highway 11, the growth of Easley, and the transformation of Pickens County into one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing mountain communities.
8. It Is One of the Most Photographed Buildings in Pickens County
Between the American flag, the South Carolina flag, the brick facade, and the classic architecture, the courthouse has become a favorite subject for local photographers and visitors exploring downtown Pickens.
9. The Courthouse Helps Preserve Local History
Property deeds, court records, plats, and historical documents stored through county government provide an important link to Pickens County’s past. Family historians and genealogists often begin their research with records connected to the courthouse.
10. It Remains the Heart of Downtown Pickens
While many communities have moved government offices away from their historic downtowns, the Pickens County Courthouse remains a centerpiece of the city. Festivals, parades, celebrations, and community gatherings still take place within sight of the courthouse, just as they have for generations.
A Building That Connects Past and Present
The Pickens County Courthouse is more than a government building. It serves as a reminder of the people who built Pickens County, the generations who have lived here, and the stories that continue to shape the community today.
The next time you drive through downtown Pickens, take a moment to look up at the columns, the cupola, and the flags flying above Main Street. You’re looking at one of the county’s most enduring landmarks.
