Chesterfield County is named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Union County, North Carolina and Anson County, North Carolina
E – Marlboro County
S – Darlington County and Lee County
W – Kershaw County and Lancaster County
Created: March 2, 1785
County Seat:
Chesterfield 1785 – present
County Judicial Center – Chesterfield
Location: 200 West Main Street / Mill Street
Built: 1976 – 1977
Style: Modern
Architect: Witherspoon, Patterson and Knowland
Contractor: Barger Construction Company, Inc.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Chesterfield. A new entrance was constructed on the west side. The one story south section is solid brick with no windows. On the south wall is a large County Seal. The central two story section is higher and extends out towards the east and west wings with glass walls on the south side at the entrances. The entrance lobby has a skylight at the top of the second story. On the second story is a lobby area with skylight above and light well open to the first story. The County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the second story and the small courtroom is located along the northeast side of the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County Family Court and County Probate Court of the 4th Judicial Circuit. An addition was added in 2006 to 2007. The architect was Boykin and Munnerlyn of Camden and the contractor was P F Mungo and Perry L Mungo, Inc. of Columbia. Moseley Architects. In 2022 to 2023 the building was renovated with the addition of a new entrance. The contractor was Jencon Builders of Monroe, North Carolina.
Note: The cost of construction of the present courthouse was $1,000,000. The cost of the 2007 addition was $300,000.
Old County Courthouse – Chesterfield
Location: 100 East Main Street / Green Street
Built: 1884 – 1885
Style: Victorian
Architect: Robert Mills of Charleston
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story reddish colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Chesterfield to the east of the courthouse. The building has a partly enclosed brick portico on the second story, with steps descending on the east and west sides which was built in 1935. The first story has a stone framed entrance below the portico. Atop the portico is a pediment. On the center of the roof is a large square white colored cupola with steep roof. In the interior, the large courtroom is located on the second story. The building now serves as the Visitor Center. Across the street is the old County Jail.
See: The 4th Judicial Circuit includes Darlington County, Dillon County and Marlboro County
History: The county was created in 1785 and Chesterfield was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1786. The second courthouse was designed by Robert Mills of Charleston and constructed by John Chapman in 1825 to 1829. The courthouse was burned by Union Troops on March 2, 1865. Court was held for a brief time at the residence of David Jackson. The courthouse was rebuilt as the third courthouse in 1884 to 1885 using the plans of Robert Mills. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1976 to 1977.
County Judicial Center – Chesterfield
County Courthouse before 2023 addition – Chesterfield
County Circuit Court courtroom
County Circuit Court small courtroom
Old County Courthouse – Chesterfield
Old County Jail – Chesterfield
Photos taken 2008, 2014 and 2024