Ashley County is named for Chester Ashley, who was a United States Senator from Arkansas.
Surrounding County and Parish Courthouses:
N – Drew County
E – Chicot County
S – Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
W – Union County and Bradley County
Created: November 30, 1848 
County Seat:
Hamburg 1849 – present
County Courthouse – Hamburg
Location: 205 East Jefferson Street / North Oak Street
Built: 1968 – 1969
Style: Modern
Architect: Renshaw and Taylor
Contractor: Simmons and Sons
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Hamburg. The building has a central entrance on the south front with panel rising above the glass doors and showing the county seal. The windows are vertical with sections of brick wall between. The overhanging roof is supported by vertical white colored pillars. The roof is sloped slightly. The County Circuit Court courtroom is circular in shape. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial District. On the east side is another rectangular building.
See: The 10th Judicial District includes Bradley County, Chicot County, Desha County and Drew County.
History: The county was created in 1848 and Hamburg was selected as the county seat in 1849. The first courthouse was built in 1850. The second courthouse was designed and built by Samuel B Patterson and AH Norman in 1869. The third courthouse was designed by F W Gibbs and constructed by Coldwell and Drake in 1905. The building burned in 1921. The fourth courthouse was a brick structure designed by Charles Thompson and constructed by T R Betea in 1923 and was replaced by the present and fifth courthouse.
Note: The lowest point in Arkansas is the Ouachita Rivert at 55 feet ( 17 meters ) which is located in the county and Union County.
County Courthouse – Hamburg
Photos taken 2012