Calhoun County

US States / A-G / Florida / Calhoun County
Calhoun

Calhoun County is named for John C Calhoun, who was a United States statesman and Vice President.

 

Surrounding County Courthouses: 

– Jackson County

E – Liberty County 

S – Gulf County

W – Bay County

 

Created:  January 26, 1838                    Map of Florida highlighting Calhoun County

County Seat:

St.   Joseph ( Gulf )   1838 – 1839

Iola ( Gulf )                1839 – 1848

Abes Spring Bluff      1848 – 1880

Blountstown              1880 – present

 

County Courthouse – Blountstown

 

Location:  425 Central Avenue East / Veterans Street

Built:  1972 – 1973

Style:  Modern

Architect:  Charles A Gaskin

Contractor:  Dyson Construction Company

 

Description: The building faces north and is a three story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Blountstown. The north front has a projecting porch supported by six high pillars rising to a wide header at the roof line. The entrance and windows above form a glass wall within the porch area. A wide brown colored horizontal band runs along the flat roof line. In the interior, the County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the south side of the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 14th Judicial Circuit and County Court. 

 

Old County Courthouse – Blountstown

 

1409f09

 

Location:  314 Central Avenue East / Cayson Street

Built:  1904 – 1905

Style:  Romanesque Revival

Architect:  Benjamin Bosworth Smith and the Frank Lockwood

Contractor:  Dobson & Archillus

 

Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Blountstown to the west of the courthouse. The south front has a projecting center section with arched entrance and recessed doorway on the first story. The center section rises to a peal above the roof line. The building has a west wing. The roof is hipped. The former courtroom was located on the second story.

 

See:  National Register of Historic Places – Old Calhoun County Courthouse

 

See:  The 14th Judicial Circuit includes Bay CountyGulf CountyHolmes CountyJackson County and Washington County.

 

See:  The county is located in the First Judicial District of the Court of Appeal – First Judicial District located in Tallahassee.

 

History:  The county was created in 1838 and St. Joseph (Gulf County) was selected as the county seat. The county seat was moved to Iola (Gulf County) in 1839. In 1848, the county seat was moved to Abes Spring Bluff. Finally in 1880, the county seat was moved to Blountstown. The first county seats do not appear to have courthouses. The first courthouse was a two story frame structure built near the Blount Bluff (Blountstown). The second courthouse was constructed in 1904 to 1905 and is still standing. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1972 to 1973.

 

 

1418f09

County Courthouse - Blountstown 

 

 

1419f09

 

 

1420f09

 

 

227f18

 

 

226f18

 

 

229f18

County Circuit Court courtroom

 

 

228f18

 

 

230f18

 

 

231f18

 

 

1421f09

 

 

1422f09

 

 

1411f09

Old County Courthouse - Blountstown 

 

 

1410f09

 

 

235f18

 

 

236f18

 

 

237f18

 

 

238f18

Former courtroom

 

 

239f18

 

 

240f18

Photos taken 2009 and 2018