Vernon Parish | US Courthouses

Vernon Parish is named for Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, the first President of the United States.

Created: March 30, 1871

Parish Seat :

Leesville 1871 – present

Old Parish Courthouse – Leesville

Location: 201 South 3rd Street / East Lulu Street

Built: 1909 – 1910

Style: Greek Revival and Beaux Arts

Architect: J L Thurmon & Company

Contractor: F B Hull Construction Company of Jackson, Mississippi

Description: The building faces west and is a two story white colored stucco structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Leesville and is shaped is shaped like a Greek cross. The west front has a large portico supported by four high white colored columns rising to a portico at the roof line. The north and south wings extend at an angle. There is another portico on the south side. On the center of the roof is a large white colored cupola with clock. The building was renovated and restored in 1990. The architect was Richard Leblanc Architects Inc. and the contractor was Pat Williams Construction Inc. The building was renovated in 2000. The architect was King Architects. On the east side is the two story Jail & Courthouse Annex constructed in 1974. The architect was Yeager – Young Associates and the contractor was McInnis Brothers Inc.

Note: The first court met in the office of Dr. Edmond Ellison Smart in Leesville. The first courthouse was a two story structure built by John F Stewart for the sum of $2,260 in 1871. In 1899, the second courthouse was built by P J Duffy. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1907 to 1909. The third level cupola housed a bell that has been removed and is now located in a gazebo on the northwest side lawn.

Parish Courthouse – Leesville

Location: 215 North 4th Street / East Lulu Street

Built: 1906 – 1907

Style: Neo-Classical

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces west and is a three story structure. The building is located on the west side of Courthouse Square in the center of Leesville and was the First National Bank. The main entrance is on the west side where there is a portico on the first story with pediment above. The east side preserves the bank’s original appearance. The roof line is flat. The courtrooms are located on the second and third stories.The building was converted into the Vernon Parish Courthouse Annex in 2000 and then into the courthouse. The architect was King Architects – Barry King and the contractor was Pat Williams Construction, Inc.

Parish Government Complex – Leesville

Location: 215 North 4th Street / East Lulu Street

Built: 1906 – 1907

Style: Colonial Revival

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces east and is a two story white colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Leesville to the south of the courthouse and is named as the Vernon Parish Government Complex. The east front has a large two story porch supported by six high pillars. The roof is hipped with two dormers and a white colored cupola. The building was acquired and remodeled in 1992. During remodeling, the architect was Richard LeBlanc Architects and the contractor was R.B.E., Inc.

Courthouses:

N – Sabine Parish and Natchitoches Parish

E – Rapides Parish

S – Allen Parish and Beauregard Parish

W – Newton County, Texas