Sumter County | US Courthouses

Sumter County is named for Sumter, South Carolina, from whence a number of settlers originated.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Marion County

E – Lake County

S – Polk County

W – Pasco County, Hernando County and Citrus County

Created: January 8, 1853

County Seat:

Sumterville 1853 – 1858

Leesberg 1856 – 1868

Sumterville 1868 – 1912

Bushnell 1912 – present

County Courthouse – Bushnell

Location: 209 North Florida Street / East McCollum Avenue

Built: 1913 – 1914

Style: Spanish-Mediterranean Revival

Architect: William Augustine Edwards of Atlanta, Georgia

Contractor: J F Jenkins

Description: The building faces west and is a two story brown colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Bushnell and has a large church-like portico on the west front with four high white colored columns forming high arches. At each end of the portico are brick towers with octagonal cupolas at the top with red colored roofs. In interior, the large County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the west side of the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial District and County Court. The building is connected to the County Judicial Building on the east side. An addition was constructed in 1974. The architect was Louis C George and the contractor was P & C Thompson Brothers and Walton T Locke. The building is connected to the County Judicial Building on the east side. The building was renovated in 2013. The architect was Rowe Architects.

See: The architect William August Edwards designed other courthouses in South Carolina in Abbeville County, Calhoun County, Darlington County (former), Dillon County, Jasper County, Kershaw County (former), Lee County, Sumter County and York County.

County Judicial Building – Bushnell

Location: 225 East McCollum Avenue / Justice Street

Built: 1996 – 1997

Style: Modern

Architect: Gee & Jenson

Contractor: Dix Construction

Description: The building faces north and is a two story brown colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Bushnell and is connected to the courthouse on the west side. The north front of the building has a portico similar to the courthouse with four white colored columns and recessed entrance. The red colored roof is hipped.

See: The 5th Judicial Circuit includes Citrus County, Hernando County, Lake County, Marion County and Sumter County.

See: The county is located in the Fifth Judicial District of the Court of Appeal – Fifth Judicial District located in Daytona Beach.

History: The county was created in 1853 and Sumterville was selected as the county seat. The county seat was moved to Leesberg in 1858 and the first courthouse was erected. In 1868, the county seat was moved back to Sumterville and premises were rented from W W Mallard. The second courthouse was built in 1881. The building was destroyed by fire on January 30, 1909 and the county rented premises. The county seat was moved to Bushnell in 1912. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1913 to 1914 at a cost of $49,759. The County Judicial Center was constructed in 1996 to 1997.