Dare County | US Courthouses

Dare County is named for Virginia Dare, who was the first child born of English parents in America.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Currituck County

E – Atlantic Ocean

S – Hyde County

W – Tyrrell County

Created: February 3, 1870

County Seat:

Manteo 1870 – present

County Courthouse – Manteo

Location: 962 Marshall Collins Drive / Highway 64

Built: 2000 – 2002

Style: Modern

Architect: Heery International, Inc.

Contractor: Heery International, Inc.

Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the County Courthouse Complex on the south side of Manteo. The east front has a wide porch with four columns rising to a wide header. On the south side a wing extends east. The building has a green colored hipped roof. The building is named as the County Justice Center and faces the County Administration Building on the east side.

County Administration Building – Manteo

Location: 954 Marshall Collins Drive / Highway 64

Built: 2000 – 2002

Style: Modern

Architect: Heery International, Inc.

Contractor: Heery International, 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 County Courthouse Complex on the south side of Manteo. The west front has a large portico supported by four high columns with pediment at the roof line. Along the hipped roof are three dormers on each side of the portico. A covered walkway runs in front of the building. The building is named as the County Administration and faces the Justice Center on the west side.

Old County Courthouse – Manteo

Location: 300 Queen Street / Sir Walter Raleigh Street

Built: 1903 – 1904

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company

Contractor: B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company

Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located in the center of Manteo. The east front has a porch with balcony on the second story. The second story windows are arched. The roof is hipped. The building was remodeled in 1933. The building is now an art gallery.

See: The contractor, B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company, constructed courthouses in Onslow County, Rockingham County and Tyrrell County.

See: The 1st Judicial District includes Camden County, Chowan County, Currituck County, Gates County, Pasquotank County and Perquimans County.

History: The county was created in 1870 and Manteo was selected as the county seat. The county used rental premises which served as the first courthouse on Roanoke Island. The second courthouse was built in 1903 to 1904 and is still standing. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 2000 to 2002.