Polk County is named for William Polk, who was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and the first president of the State Bank of North Carolina.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
S – Spartanburg County, South Carolina and Greenville County, South Carolina
W – Henderson County
Created: January 20, 1855 
County Seat:
Columbus 1855 – present
County Courthouse – Columbus
Location: 1 Courthouse Square / East Mills Street
Built: 1858 – 1859
Style: Greek Revival / Italianate
Architect: Ephraim Clayton
Contractor: George W Shackelton
Description: The building faces southwest and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Columbus. The building is “T” shaped and has a portico on the southwest front supported by four large square white colored pillars rising to a pediment at the roof line. There is an extension on the east side. On the center of the roof is a square white base rising to a smaller square white colored cupola. In the interior, there is a large entry hall with center hall running to the rear of the building. On the north and south sides of the front door are marching spiral stairs with large turned newels, molded handrails and slender balusters. On the second story is a large courtroom on the east side. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 29th Judicial District. The building was remodeled in the 1920’s and was remodeled from 1999 to 2008. On the southwest side is the Justice and Administration Building.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Polk County Courthouse
County Justice and Administration Building – Columbus
Location: 40 Courthouse Square / East Mills Street
Built: 1987 – 1988
Style: Modern
Architect: Carter Watkins Associates Architects Inc. of Monroe, Georgia
Contractor: Sherman Construction Company Inc. of Greenville, South Carolina
Description: The building faces northeast and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Columbus on the southwest side of the courthouse.. The building has a recessed central entrance. The roof has a peak on the north and south sections.
See: The 29th Judicial District includes Henderson County, McDowell County, Rutherford County and Transylvania County.
History: The first courts were held in private homes. The first courthouse was a temporary building erected by E L Foster in 1855 in Columbus at a cost of $190. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1858 to 1859 at a cost of $16,836 including the jail. The Justice and Administration Building was constructed in 1987 to 1988.
County Courthouse – Columbus
County Justice and Administration Building – Columbus
Photos taken 2008