Laurens County is named for Henry Laurens, who was the president of the Continental Congress.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Spartanburg County and Union County
E – Newberry County
S – Greenwood County and Abbeville County
W – Anderson County and Greenville County
Created: March 2, 1785 
County Seat:
Laurens 1785 – present
County Courthouse – Laurens
Location: Public Square / South Street
Built: 1838 – 1839
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Dr. John Wells Simpson
Contractor: Thomas C Veal
Description: The building faces south and is a two story white colored stucco and brick structure. Located in the center of the Public Square in the center of Laurens, the building has a portico supported by four large columns on the south and north sides. Staircases ascend to the second story entrances. The building has narrow vertical windows. An addition was added in 1857. In 1911, a further addition was added. The architect was Ten Eyck Brown and Proffitt & Hampton. An addition was added in 1940.
County Judicial Center – Laurens
Location: 100 Hillcrest Square / Spring Street
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a one story stucco and concrete structure. The building is located next to the Barksdale Square Shopping Center to the northwest of the center of Laurens. The center section has two one story porticoes with peaked roof and clock behind. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit and is named as the Laurens County Judicial Center.
See: The 8th Judicial Circuit includes Abbeville County, Greenwood County and Newberry County.
History: The county was created in 1785 and Laurens was selected as the county seat. The first court met at the home of John Rodgers in 1875. The first courthouse was a wood structure built in Laurens in 1785. The second courthouses was built in 1792. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1838 to 1839. The County Judicial Center now contains the court facilities.
County Courthouse – Laurens
County Judicial Center – Laurens
Photos taken 2008 and 2020