Effingham County is named for Francis Howard, 1st Earl of Effingham, who was a British noble sympathetic to the American colony.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Screven County and Hampton County, South Carolina
E – Jasper County, South Carolina
S – Chatham County
W – Bryan County and Bulloch County
Created: February 5, 1777 
County Seat:
Tuckasee-King 1784 – 1787
Elberton 1787 – 1797
Ebenezer 1797 – 1799
Springfield 1799 – present
County Courthouse – Springfield
Location: 700 North Pine Street / Franklin Street
Built: 2004 – 2007
Style: Modern
Architect: Lott & Barber Architects
Contractor: LPS Construction Inc.
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Springfield. The building has a large portico supported by six large columns. Above the portico is a rounded section. The eave projects from the building. The building is the Effingham County Judicial Complex.
Old County Courthouse – Springfield
Location: 901 North Pine Street / Jackson Street
Built: 1908
Style: Neo-Classical Revival
Architect: H W Witcover
Contractor: F B Heifner
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick Palladian adaptation structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Springfield. The building has a large portico supported by six large white colored columns supporting a pediment at the roof line. On the center of the roof is hexagonal tower with flat dome. The courtroom is located on the second story. The building is now used as court offices..
History: The first courthouse was built in Ebenezer in 1797. The county seat was moved to Springfield in 1799. The second courthouse was built in Springfield in 1816. The third courthouse was built in 1849. The fourth courthouse was constructed in 1908 to 1909 and is still standing. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 2004 to 2006.
County Courthouse – Springfield
Old County Courthouse – Springfield
Photos taken 2008 and 2020