Celebrations mark courthouse 100th anniversary - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS
A Smith County landmark has stood as the center of county government for a century.
The Smith County Courthouse stands as it was built in 1912.
Sunday afternoon celebrations were held to for its 100th anniversary.
According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Neo-Classical style building was constructed at a cost of $50,000.
Hundreds gathered at the Courthouse Square in Raleigh to remember the occasion.
Robert Clecker of Anniston, Alabama was contractor for the project.
His grandson, legendary Florida State University Football Coach Bobby Bowden, attended the festivities.
The Centennial Celebration was organized by Raleigh attorney Gene Tullos.
"Gene Tullos called me about eight or nine months ago and said my grandfather built this courthouse, and they were having a 100 year reunion or anniversary. So he asked me if I'd come over, and I said I'd be glad to," said former coach Bobby Bowden.
"When they renovated the courthouse in 1974 the architect told me that they could not build more structurally sound than the Smith County Courthouse built in 1912. So Smith County is real proud of the courthouse," said Tullos.
The original courthouse which was constructed in the 1800's burned.
Its replacement was also destroyed by fire.
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