Claiborne Parish is named for William C C Claiborne, who was the first governor of Louisiana from 1812 to 1816.
Surrounding Parish and County Courthouses:
N – Columbia County, Arkansas and Union County, Arkansas
E – Union Parish and Lincoln Parish
S – Bienville Parish
W – Webster Parish
Created: March 13. 1828
Parish Seat:
Russellville 1828 – 1836
Overton 1836 – 1848
Athens 1848 – 1849
Homer 1849 – present
Parish Courthouse – Homer
Location: 514 West Main Street / South Main Street
Built: 1860 – 1861
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: W C Crutcher
Contractor: W C Crutcher
Description: The building faces east and is a two story white colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Homer. Each side has six high white colored columns supporting the overhanging roof. Each entrance has a small balcony above on the second story. On the center of the roof is a high white colored octagonal cupola with white colored dome and weather vane. Stairs on the north and south sides ascend to the second story courtroom. The building houses the District Court of the 2nd Judicial District.On the west side is the Parish Courthouse Annex housed in the old Homer National Bank constructed in 1921. The building houses the Police Jury Chamber.
See: National Register pf Historic Places – Claiborne Parish Courthouse
Note: Other old courthouses are located in East Feliciana Parish, Lafourche Parish and Saint Martin Parish.
History: The parish was created in 1828 and Russellville was selected as the parish seat. The first court met at the home of John Murrel in 1828. In 1836, the parish seat moved to Overton and in 1848 to Athens. The first courthouse was built in 1848 and burned in 1849 at which time the parish seat was moved to Homer. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1860 to 1861.

Parish Courthouse – Homer








Courtroom in 2011


Courtroom in 2019







Parish Courthouse Annex – Homer





Photos taken 2011 and 2019