Hardee County is named for Cary Hardee, who was a banker and a Governor of Florida.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Polk County
E – Highlands County
S – DeSoto County
W – Manatee County
Created: April 23, 1921 
County Seat:
Wauchula 1921 – present
County Courthouse – Wauchula
Location: 417 West Main Street / South 9th Avenue
Built: 1926 – 1927
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: H G Little and William M Bradford
Contractor: Robertson Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a two story buff colored brick, concrete and stone structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Wauchula. The building has a high raised white colored brick basement as the first story and has a large portico on the north front supported by four large white colored columns which rise to a pediment at the roof line. The roof line is flat. In the interior there is an entrance lobby extending up to the third story with stairs ascending in the middle. The large County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the west side of the third story. On the east side of the third story is a small courtroom. The building houses the Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit and County Court. The building was restored in 2003. The architect was Chastain Silkman Inc. and the contractors were C E M Enterprises Inc. and Public Works Department.
County Courthouse Annex – Wauchula
Location: NE – West Orange Street / 9th Avenue
Built: 1974 – 1975
Style: Modern
Architect: Leslie G Pickett
Contractor: S W McAuley.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Wauchula on the south side of the courthouse. The south front has a central entrance with overhanging canopy. The windows are narrow and horizontal. The roof line is flat.
See: The 10th Judicial District includes Highlands County and Polk County.
See: The county is located in the Second Judicial District of the Court of Appeal – Second Judicial District located in Lakeland and Tampa.
History: The county was created in 1921 and Wauchula was selected as the county seat. The county offices were on the second story of the Bank of Wauchula. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1926 to 1927. The courthouse Annex was constructed in 1974 to 1975.
County Courthouse - Wauchula
County Circuit Court courtroom
County Circuit Court small courtroom
County Courthouse Annex - Wauchula
Photos taken 2009, 2018 and 2023