Granville County Court House During Three Centuries
(Excerpts from April 13, 1937 OPL Article) The first Granville Courts were held on the premises of William Eaton, near what is now Henderson, just after the county was carved out of Edgecombe in 1746. When Bute County (now Warren and Franklin and part of Vance) was cut from Granville in 1764, the courts were moved to a place nearer the center of the diminished territory, Harrisburg. That village lay near what was once known as Harrisburg bridge, the bridge over Fishing Creek, on the old Henderson road about a mile east of Oxford. In August of 1764, Oxford became the county seat and a court house was built on a part of the site of the present one.
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Poetic Description of Court House, The Torch Light, 1874
There stood the Court House of Granville County, around whose steeple thirty-six summers and winters had rolled into oblivion. Its tall spire pierces the fleecy clouds, and its great doors screeched as they turned on rusty hinges. The finger of time was marking the lines of decay, upon its sunburnt countenance. On its sides were little fragments of what was a “circus bill” once upon a time. The spiders spread their nets around the windows for curtains, and the dust of all ages had settled upon the window panes. It suffered here and there with broken panes—of glass. The faded blinds flapped in the summer breezes, and the “mud-dobbers” ornamented the eaves with their castles of clay. It told us plainly that it had seen better days. On the left could be seen, day after day, that mysterious little ox-cart whose owner vended his ginger cakes to a colored public. We hope soon to give you a “bird’s eye view” again – as soon as the carpenter and the painter get through.
Granville County Courthouse Work Reviving History
(Excerpts from May 31, 1988 OPL Article)
The Granville County Courthouse in Oxford is among the state's oldest and one of the few antebellum courthouses still used for judicial purposes, according to restoration specialist Mitch Wilds of the State Historic Preservation Office. This building was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The present courthouse was completed in 1840, with the first court session held there in February of that same year. Additions were made in 1891 and 1937. Extensive renovations were completed in 1988, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the keystone over the main entrance to the courthouse, dated July 4, 1838.
The present courthouse was completed in 1840, with the first court session held there in February of that same year. Additions were made in 1891 and 1937. Extensive renovations were completed in 1988, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the keystone over the main entrance to the courthouse, dated July 4, 1838.