Washington County is named for George Washington, who was the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Sullivan County
E – Carter County and Unicoi County
S – Unicoi County
W – Greene County and Hawkins County
Created: November 15, 1777 
County Seat:
Jonesborough 1777 – present
County Courthouse – Jonesborough
Location: 100 East Main Street / Cherokee Street
Built: 1912 – 1913
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Baumann Brothers of Knoxville
Contractor: L A Galyon
Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Jonesborough. The building is an irregular shape with a concrete foundation and brick walls. The northwest front has a large portico with four white colored Ionic columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. There is a small balcony on the second story of the portico. A balustrade runs along the roof line. On the center of the roof is a square white colored cupola with clock. In the interior, the grand marble staircase was removed in the 1960’s. The former courtroom is located on the second story and has the original benches and a chandelier. An addition was built on the southeast side in 1963. The architect was Beeson & Beeson and the contractor was M A Tipton Construction Company. The building was renovated in 1987. The architect was Beeson, Lusk & Street, Inc. and the contractor was Norman Construction Company.
See: The architect, Baumann Brothers of Knoxville, designed courthouses in Blount County and Monroe County.
County Justice Center – Jonesborough
Location: 108 West Madison Boulevard / North Cherokee Street
Built: 2007 – 2009
Style: Modern
Architect: Ken Ross Architects Inc.
Contractor: Burwill Construction Company
Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Jonesborough. The southeast front has a large central portico with four columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. North and south wings extend from the main building and have vertical windows and hipped roofs. On the center of the roof is an octagonal cupola. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County Chancery Court, County Criminal Court, County General Sessions Court and County Juvenile Court of the 1st Judicial District. The building is named as the George P Jaynes Justice Center.
County Juvenile Court – Johnson City
Location: 607 East Myrtle Street / New Street
Built: 2012 – 2013
Style: Modern
Architect: Thomas Weems Architects
Contractor: Armstrong Construction Company
Description: The building faces southeast and is a one story red-brown colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in Johnson City. The southeast front has a projecting center section with entrance on the west side. The roof line is flat except for the hipped roof on the center part of the building.
Note: The old County Juvenile Court was located at 102 West Myrtle Street and Roan Street. The building is a one story red colored structure.
See: The 1st Judicial District includes Carter County, Johnson County and Unicoi County.
Old County Courthouse – Johnson City
Location: 401 Ashe Street / Earnest Street
Built: 1909 – 1911
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: James Knox Taylor
Contractor: John W Ackers
Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story tan colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Johnson City. The northwest front has a projecting center section with three large arches on the first story and recessed entrance. A balustrade runs along the top of the flat roof line. In the interior, the stairway with three landings, ascends to the second story. On the northwest side of the hallway is the courtroom. The building was originally known as the Johnson City Postal Savings Bank and Post Office. Additions were constructed in 1964 and 1965. The building was renovated in 2021 to 2022. The architect was Clark Nexsen Architects and the contractor was BurWil Construction Company.
Note: The cost of construction in 1909 to 1911 was $89,000. The county purchased the building in 1940 for $12,000 for use as a satellite courthouse until 1985 when the building was closed. The renovation of the building in 2021 to 2022 is $5,000,000.
History: The county was created in 1777 and Jonesborough was selected as the county seat. The county first met in the homes of Charles Robertson, Matthew Talbot and Christopher Taylor. The first courthouse was a log cabin built in 1779. The second courthouse was a larger wood structure built in 1780s in Jonesborough. The third courthouse was a two story wood structure built in 1794 under the supervision of James Stuart, David Deaderick, Samuel May Sr, John Johnston, John Sevier Sr, William Lovely and James Carmichael. The fourth courthouse was a brick structure built in 1820 under the supervision of John McAllister, David Deaderick, John Cheater, John Kennedy and John G Eason. The courthouse burned in 1839. The court then met in rented premises until 1846 when the fifth courthouse, a three story brick structure was built in 1847 by Jacob Newman and William Fleming. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 1912 to 1913 at a cost of $53,296. The County Justice Center was constructed in 2007 to 2009.
County Courthouse – Jonesborough
County Justice Center – Jonesborough
County Junvenile Court – Johnson City
Old County Juvenile Court – Johnson City
Photos taken 2012 and 2014