Claiborne Parish | US Courthouses

Claiborne Parish is named for William C C Claiborne, who was the first governor of Louisiana from 1812 to 1816.

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. 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.

Note: Other old courthouses are located in East Feliciana Parish , Lafourche Parish and Saint Martin Parish.

Note: The first court met at the home of John Murrel in 1828 and the parish seat was established at Russellville. 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.

Courthouses:

N – Columbia County, Arkansas and Union County, Arkansas

E – Union Parish and Lincoln Parish

S – Bienville Parish

W – Webster Parish