Jefferson County Courthouse Bessemer Division: Difference between revisions

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(New page: The '''Jefferson County Courthouse Bessemer Division''' is the secondary location for the Jefferson County Courthouse, serving western Jefferson County from the city of [[Bessemer]...)
 
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The '''Jefferson County Courthouse Bessemer Division''' is the secondary location for the [[Jefferson County Courthouse]], serving western [[Jefferson County]] from the city of [[Bessemer]]. The building associated with that name was the predecessor to the current [[Jefferson County Bessemer Justice Center]].
The '''Jefferson County Courthouse Bessemer Division''' is the secondary location for the [[Jefferson County Courthouse]], serving western [[Jefferson County]] from the city of [[Bessemer]]. The building associated with that name was the predecessor to the current [[Jefferson County Bessemer Justice Center]].


The first courthouse in Bessemer was erected in [[1913]], facing [[3rd Avenue Bessemer|3rd Avenue]] at the corner of [[18th Street Bessemer|18th Street]]. The three-story brick building was expanded in the 1930s and 1950s, at which time the entire complex was air-conditioned. A 7-story [[Bessemer Annex|Annex]] was constructed in [[1977]] with four floors of enclosed parking. The original courthouse was renovated in [[1990]] with the abatement of hazardous materials and upgrading of finishes and fixtures. Another renovation in [[2009]] prepared the building for new county office functions after the construction of the new Justice Center.
Justice of the Peace court had been held in Bessemer since its establishment in [[1887]]. A [[Jefferson County Circuit Court]] was authorized there in [[1893]] with a [[Birmingham]] judge presiding. Court proceedings were held in [[Rebie Hall]] until its destruction by fire in [[1913]]. In [[1914]] state representative [[W. S. Welch]] sponsored legislation establishing a new branch of the [[10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama]] with its own judge "in residence". Court was held at the [[Bessemer City Hall]] while plans for a new courthouse got underway.


[[Category:1913 buildings]]
Delayed by [[World War I]], the $175,000 courthouse was not completed until [[1920]]. The three-story brick building faced [[3rd Avenue Bessemer|3rd Avenue]] at the corner of [[18th Street Bessemer|18th Street]]. It was expanded with another 3-story section in [[1949]] and both building were extensively renovated in [[1955]], [[1966]] and [[1970]]. A 7-story [[Bessemer Annex|Annex]] was completed in [[1980]] with four floors of enclosed parking. The original courthouse was renovated in [[1990]] with the abatement of hazardous materials and upgrading of finishes and fixtures. Another renovation in [[2009]] prepared the building for new county office functions after the construction of the new Justice Center.
 
==References==
* "[http://www.alacourt.gov/Court%20News/November-1980.pdf Dedication Ceremony Held: Bessemer Courthouse Gets Addition]" (November 1980) ''Court News''
 
[[Category:1920 buildings]]
[[Category:3rd Avenue Bessemer]]
[[Category:3rd Avenue Bessemer]]
[[Category:18th Street Bessemer]]
[[Category:18th Street Bessemer]]

Revision as of 15:08, 27 September 2009

The Jefferson County Courthouse Bessemer Division is the secondary location for the Jefferson County Courthouse, serving western Jefferson County from the city of Bessemer. The building associated with that name was the predecessor to the current Jefferson County Bessemer Justice Center.

Justice of the Peace court had been held in Bessemer since its establishment in 1887. A Jefferson County Circuit Court was authorized there in 1893 with a Birmingham judge presiding. Court proceedings were held in Rebie Hall until its destruction by fire in 1913. In 1914 state representative W. S. Welch sponsored legislation establishing a new branch of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama with its own judge "in residence". Court was held at the Bessemer City Hall while plans for a new courthouse got underway.

Delayed by World War I, the $175,000 courthouse was not completed until 1920. The three-story brick building faced 3rd Avenue at the corner of 18th Street. It was expanded with another 3-story section in 1949 and both building were extensively renovated in 1955, 1966 and 1970. A 7-story Annex was completed in 1980 with four floors of enclosed parking. The original courthouse was renovated in 1990 with the abatement of hazardous materials and upgrading of finishes and fixtures. Another renovation in 2009 prepared the building for new county office functions after the construction of the new Justice Center.

References

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