Raleigh County is named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who was an English explorer and poet.
Created: January 23, 1850
County Seat:
Beckley 1850 – present
County Courthouse – Beckley
Location: 215 Main Street / Heber Street
Built: 1936 – 1937
Style: Art Deco
Architect: L T Bengtson, Inc.
Contractor: J O Freeman
Description: The building faces south and is a two story stone structure. The building was constructed of steel joists with an exterior of pink and natural color sandstone. The south front has a recessed center section with central entrance framed with stone. The windows are vertical with panels between. The east and west wings are lower and extend from the main building. The roof line is flat. The building was a Works Project Administration project.
Note: The previous courthouse was designed by Frank E Davis and built in 1893.
County Judicial Center – Beckley
Location: 222 Main Street / Heber Street
Built: 2008 – 2012
Style: Modern
Architect: LSean Simmons of Silling Associates
Contractor: G & G Builders
Description: The building faces north and is a three story concrete and glass structure. The north front has a central entrance with glass panels above on the second and third stories. The northwest corner has a large square tower rising four stories with glass panels and clock at the top. Along the west side are concrete pillars dividing the windows and rising to the top of the second story. The architectural precast panels were completed by Lang Masonry Contractors.
Courthouses:
N – Kanawha County and Fayette County
E – Summers County
S – Mercer County and Wyoming County
W – Wyoming County and Boone County
Photos taken 2012