For many Dade Countians, the circuitous path to restore downtown Trenton’s longtime landmark to its former glory culminated with the snip of oversized scissors Wednesday afternoon.
Gathering in the town square and courthouse steps, local community leaders both past and present were on hand for the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the newly revamped Dade Historic Courthouse.
“After a decade of planning, followed by a three year period of careful restoration and revitalization of a treasured piece of Dade County history, this reopening not only honors the past but also looks boldly to the future,” said Dade County Executive & Chairman Don Townsend, as he thanked the multitude who contributed to the project.
The Old Dade Courthouse dates back to its initial 1926 construction.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and later closed in 2010 due to the building’s disrepair.
Townsend credited much of the restoration project’s success to the Dade County Historic Preservation Commission as well as the Dade County Historical Society. Blevins Construction Management oversaw the rehabilitation, with a “lion’s share” of the work completed by Dade County contractors.
Former Dade County Commission Chairman Ted Rumley says returning the courthouse to its former luster was always in the long term plan of previous commissions, but he admits encountering a fair share of critics along the way.
“You wouldn’t believe the people who wanted to tear this building down and just straighten Highway 11 up, it was more than just two or three people, believe me,” said Rumley prior to the ceremony.
Chairman Townsend said the use of taxes to fund the courthouse restoration was the primary concern of critics, both then and now.
“The administration at that time did not want to use property tax dollars to renovate the building and I’m happy to say that with a combination of the accommodations tax, ARPA funding and SPLOST dollars; we have been able to achieve that goal,” said Townsend.
According to the Dade County Historical Society, the Old Dade Courthouse was actually the third built in the county.
Both of the two earlier courthouses were destroyed in separate fires, the first leveled by Union troops in 1863, the second in the 1920’s.
The modern iteration of the Dade Historic Courthouse will serve as a hub for local economic development, officials say. The first floor serves as the home for the Alliance of Dade and Welcome Center, the Dade Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Authority.
Officials say the building’s second floor and courtroom will be available to host events on a rental basis and the project’s renovation is ADA compliant to federal regulations.
By Vince Lennon
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16UEWFnzAP/
Below is the speech given by Dade County Executive Don Townsend at today’s festivities.
“The Dade County Historic Courthouse designed by architect George Szymanski was built in 1926 by Barrett Construction Company in the “Carpenter Style”. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and was closed due to disrepair November 15, 2010. The Dade County Board of Commissioners comprised of Commissioners Allan Bradford, Lamar Lowery, Phillip Hartline, and Robert Goff under the leadership of Dade County Executive Ted Rumley voted to restore the historic landmark in 2019.
Enlisting the help of the Dade County Historic Preservation Commission and the Dade County Historical Society the restoration began in 2022 under the project management of Blevins Construction Management and we are proud to say that the lion’s share of the restoration work itself was completed by Dade County companies.
When discussion first began about this project one of the main topics of course was funding. The administration at the time did not want to use property tax dollars to renovate the building and I’m happy to say that with a combination of Accommodations tax, ARPA funding and SPLOST dollars we have been able to achieve that goal.
After a decade of planning followed by a three-year period of careful restoration and revitalization of a treasured piece of Dade County history. This re-opening not only honors the past but also looks boldly toward the future — preserving the architectural legacy while creating new opportunities for community engagement. This building is more than just bricks and mortar – it’s a reflection of our shared history and enduring community spirit. We’re honored to celebrate its rebirth and continued role in the heart of our county.
On behalf of the current Dade County Board of Commissioners – Melissa Bradford, Bill Pullen, Phillip Hartline, Bob Woods, and on behalf of the Dade County Historic Preservation Commission and the Dade County Historical Society I would like to thank you for being here to help us celebrate this auspicious occasion – the Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Historic Dade County Courthouse and Museum.
At this time, I would like to invite former Dade County Executive Ted Rumley to say a few words before the ribbon cutting and the raising of the flag by the American Legion.”
– Don Townsend
Dade County Executive