Carteret County is named for John Carteret, who was the 2nd Earl Granville and who inherited a one-eight share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Jones County, Craven County and Pamlico County
E – Atlantic Ocean
S – Atlantic Ocean
W – Onslow County
Created: 1722 
County Seat:
Beaufort 1722 – present
County Courthouse – Beaufort
Location: 300 Courthouse Square – Craven Street / Broad Street
Built: 1906– 1907
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Herbert Woodley Simpson
Contractor: Porter and Goodwin
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Beaufort. The west front has a large portico supported by four white colored columns rising to a wide pediment at the roof line. On the south side is another large portico. On the center of the roof is an octagonal white wood cupola. The roof is hipped. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 3rd Judicial District. The building was enlarged in 1968. The architect was Guy Willson Jr. & Associates. The building enlarged and renovated in 1984 to 1987. The architect was Barthomew Associates, Inc. and James B Wells, Inc. and the contractor was S T Wooten Construction Company, Inc. and Jerry Lawrence General Contractor Inc. The courthouse is attached to the County Administration Building on the north side.
Old County Courthouse – Beaufort
Location: 100 Turner Street / Ann Street
Built: 1796 – 1797
Style: Colonial
Architect: Colonel William Thomson.
Contractor: Colonel William Thomson.
Description: The building faces south and is a one story brown colored clapboard structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Beaufort Museum, in the center of Beaufort. The building served as the courthouse until 1834 and became a residence until it was moved to the Beaufort Museum.
Note: The old courthouse is one of the oldest courthouse structures in North Carolina, the oldest courthouse being located in Chowan County built in 1767.
See: The 3rd Judicial District includes Carteret County, Craven County, Pamlico County and Pitt County.
History: The county was created in 1722 and Beaufort was selercted as the county seat. The first courthouse was erected in Beaufort in 1724. The second courthouse was built in 1728 by William Dean of Dean Island. The third courthouse was built by Colonel William Thomson in 1796 and the building is still standing. The fourth courthouse was built by James Ward and brick masons in 1837 at a cost of $4,400. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 1906 and 1907 at a cost of $32,000.
County Administration Building – Beaufort
Location: 302 Courthouse Square – Craven Street / Broad Street
Built: 1980 – 1982
Style: Modern
Architect: Barthomew Associates, Inc.
Contractor: Gardener Construction Company, Inc.
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Beaufort. The building has a recessed entrance on the west side with an overhang supported by two thin columns. The windows are horizontal and the roof line is flat. The building is connected to the courthouse on the south side.
Old County Jail – Beaufort
Location: 100 Turner Street / Ann Street
Built: 1828 – 1829
Style: Federal
Architect: Elijah Whitehurst.
Contractor: Elijah Whitehurst.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story white colored clapboard structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Beaufort Museum in the center of Beaufort. The building was located on the Courthouse Square. The jail continued in use until 1954
County Courthouse – Beaufort
Commissioner Minutes 1908
County Administration Building – Beaufort
Photos taken 2012