McMinn County is named for Joseph McMinn, who was a Governor of Tennessee.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Roane County and Loudon County
E – Monroe County
S – Polk County and Bradley County
W – Meigs County
Created: November 13, 1819 
County Seat:
Calhoun 1819 – 1822
Athens 1822 – present
County Courthouse – Athens
Location: 6 East Madison Avenue / White Street
Built: 1966 – 1967
Style: Colonial Revival
Architect: Galloway and Guthrie of Knoxville
Contractor: Webb Brothers
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red-orange colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Atens. The south front has a large portico with six white colored columns rising to a wide pediment with circular at the roof line. The base of the building is stone. A wide horizontal belt runs below the roof line. On the center of the roof is a square tiered white colored cupola with clock and octagonal cupola at the top. The roof is sloped. The courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the Chancery Court of the 10th Judicial District.
County Justice Center – Athens
Location: 1319 South White Street / Davidson Road
Built: 2012 – 2014
Style: Modern
Architect: Cope Architecture of Knoxville
Contractor: Rouse Construction Company of Knoxville
Description: The building faces south and is a one story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the south of the center of Atens. On the northwest corner is the projecting entrance section with six white colored columns and recessed glass walls. Above is a small pediment. Along the north and west sides are raised section with white colored columns and recessed glass walls. The courtrooms are located along the hallway. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County Criminal Court, County General Sessions Court and County Juvenile Court of the 10th Judicial District.
See: The 10th Judicial District includes Bradley County, Monroe County and Polk County.
History: The county was created in 1819 and Calhoun was selected as the county seat. The first court met at the home of John Walker in Calhoun in 1820 and the first courthouse was erected. The county seat was moved to Athens in 1822 and the second courthouse was erected in 1823 in Athens. The third courthouse was designed by Alexander C Bruce and constructed by Thomas & William in 1875. The courthouse burned in 1964. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1964 to 1965. The County Justice Center was constructed in 2012 to 2014.
County Courthouse – Athens
County Justice Center – Athens
Photos taken 2012 and 2018