Hinds Courthouse

onstruction on the Greek Revival courthouse began in 1857 and was finished in 1859.

The historical and beautiful Hinks County Courthouse, in Raymond, is listed in the National Archives as one of the most perfect examples of its type of architecture in the United States. It was designed and constructed by the famous Weldon Brothers, immigrants from Ireland, and built with slave labor out of brick burned from clay near the site and limestone obtained locally. The Weldon Brother’s also built the famous courthouse in Vicksburg. After the Battle of Raymond, May 12, 1863, 1 1/4 miles south of town, the courthouse and the present Episcopal Church next door, built in 1852, served as hospitals for the wounded. In the early years of its existence, the courtroom rang with voices of many notables some of whom were Sargent S. Prentiss, George Poindexter and Governor H.S. Foot who lived in Raymond in the early 1830’s, Alex McClung, the famous duelist and others.

Interest in the new courthouse was expressed by George Harper, owner & editor of theHinds County Gazette when he wrote,“The structure will be an ornament to the village, and a monument of the good taste, public spirit and liberality of the people of Hinds County.”

he original specifications for the construction of this building are still in existence and provided for, among other things; “the outside walls of the foundations are to be built of good sound limestone laid up in good lines and sand mortar in the very best manner and are to be 2 1/2 feet thick. The brick work is to be laid up with good hard and well-burned brick laid in good lines and sand mortar composed of the best quality of fresh-burned lime and coarse sharp-gritted sand, properly mixed and manipulated, and mixed up at least one week before using. The outside walls to be 18 inches thick. The order of architecture of the columns and entablatures is taken from the Tower of the Winds and the detail of the order is to be carried out in all its various pans. All the glazing to be done with best quality of American and French glass, well bedded and back puttied and left clean and perfect on the completion of this work. There is to be two bands of iron placed in the wall to extend entirely around the building, one over the first story windows and the other over the second story windows. The second story floor is to be deadened by having 2-inch wide strips nailed on the slides of the joists 4 inches down from the top, on which is to be laid a false floor of narrow boards close together, and the space between the joists to be filled up level to the top of the joists with mortar sufficiently strong to form a cement.” This sound and heat insulation would have been also effective in case of fire on the second story to aid the bucket brigade in putting out a fire.

Throughout the entire specifications of the building the words “of the best quality, materials and workmanship” is persistent and the excellent conditions of the building today verifies that from the application of the wisdom and foresight of the planners and builders, they erected a monument to their memory and a masterpiece of architecture to be enjoyed by generations yet to be born, for time has added only beauty and dignity to this building and legions of travelers through the town stop to admire and then capture on film the majestic grandeur of the Raymond Courthouse.

The Raymond Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kaleidoscope of History: The Raymond Courthouse