I spotted this bright black marker as I passed through the city of Arcadia. It is located in a…read moresmall park and there is some street parking. The historic district looks lovely and perhaps I will get to spend some time here. It reads, "The Arcadia Historic District comprises fifty-eight blocks within 340 acres that embody the city's development from the founding of its post office in 1883 through the late 1920s. The Town of Arcadia was incorporated in 1886 following the arrival of the first train that year and the area's subsequent growth. In November 1888, voters selected Arcadia as the county seat of DeSoto County, which was established in 1887. The City of Arcadia was incorporated in 1901. The heart of the district is a commercial zone extending 18 blocks and consisting of buildings constructed between 1900 and the late 1920s. Three buildings that survived the devastating 1905 downtown fire, and those that were rebuilt, are generally masonry vernacular in style. The district's most imposing structure is the 1912 Classical Revival courthouse. Residential neighborhoods of mostly frame vernacular homes from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries surround the commercial area. Listed on the National Register in 1984, the district retains remarkable historical and architectural integrity as reflected in its churches, residences, and schools, as well as commercial, governmental,and industrial buildings." [Review 12752 overall, 64 of 2020.]

Lee County began taking shape long before its official creation in 1887, when it was formed out of…read moremassive Monroe County and named after the famous Confederate general after residents pushed for a government that wasn't anchored down south in Key West. The area had already seen centuries of Calusa presence, later Seminole settlement, and the rise of Cuban fishing ranchos along the coast during the Spanish period. Today the county stretches across a wide sweep of Southwest Florida, with Fort Myers as its historic seat and Cape Coral as its largest and fastest growing city. With family living in Cape Coral for several years now, it has made Cape Coral and Fort Myers among my most reviewed cities (over 200 each!). The county's history has become something I have encountered not just in books but in the rhythm of family visits and familiar streets. The Lee County Courthouse, completed in 1915, stands as one of the county's most recognizable civic buildings. Its architecture leans toward the restrained classical style that early twentieth century Florida favored, with a symmetrical facade and a sense of grounded permanence that young counties often wanted to project. Built just before the region's major growth spurts, the courthouse became a visual anchor as Fort Myers expanded around it. Even now, the building carries that early ambition in its proportions and materials, offering a quiet reminder of the county's transition from frontier settlement to established Gulf Coast community. The grounds are busy with war memorials and time capsules and the remarkable tree that has been retained and made permanent. Lee County hosts spring training for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Cape Coral's steady rise has made it possible to watch a city grow in real time. And the courthouse, with its century of service, adds a layer of architectural continuity to a region that changes quickly. Taken together, the history, the civic architecture, and my own ties to the area make Lee County a lovely place to visit. [Round number review 1600 of 2025 - 2178 in Florida - 25148 overall]

I love architecture from the early 1900's, especially stately old courthouses. This is the Old Lee…read moreCounty Courthouse located at 2120 Main Street in Fort Myers, Florida. Lee County was named for Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee. The State of Florida created Lee County on May 13, 1887. At the the time the county had a population of 1,414 people. The first County Courthouse was built on this site for $3,640 in 1894. On October 26, 1914 citizens who were frustrated with the outdated courthouse tore it down and demanded a more modern facility. On April 13, 2015 the cornerstone was laid for the new courthouse which was designed by Francis J. Kennard in a Classical Revival style at a cost of a hundred thousand dollars. The new courthouse opened in 1916. In 1926 a thirty five thousand dollar addition was added to the back of the building. From 1916 to 1963, the Old Courthouse was a segregated facility. During that time African-Americans were restricted to the balcony while white citizens sat underneath. The courthouse was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The courthouse celebrated it's 100th anniversary in December of 2015. A reception was held and tours of the courthouse were given. As part of the 100th anniversary, the Lee County Clerk of the Court's office collected items for a time capsule that was sealed in the clerk's vault in the building's basement. A previous 1915 Time Capsule was discovered during a a $5,000,000 renovation in 1989. The contents are on display on the 2nd floor of the courthouse. In front of the courthouse is a two story art piece by Marlin Miller called. American Bald Eagle. Miller is an artist who is well known for carving animals out of damaged oak trees. He did a series of sculptures after Hurricane Katrina. The sculpture in front of the courthouse is a soaring American bald eagle. It was carved by chainsaw from a 200 year old oak tree that was scheduled to be cut down due to termite infestation. Miller did not charge the county for carving the piece. He started carving on June 9, 2011 and completed it five days later on June 14th. The courthouse is currently closed due to the pandemic. When it is open you can print a self guided tour map from the internet and take a self guided tour 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday.

I was here in LaBelle for a meetup with the awesome Ariel W…read more https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=lvthTfCQGD0qaEk6jCdRdQ and happened to stop by this amazing building. This is the original Hendry County Courthouse. It was built in 1926 and is at the intersection of Bridge Street and Hickpochee Avenue, which are the two main north-south and east-west roads through LaBelle. You can't miss it as one of the few working traffic lights is at these corners. The architecture is the Mediterranean Mission Revival style and it looks like some of the courthouses I saw during my trip through Texas last October. The inspiration is the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions. The structure got a complete restoration last year which included the brick façade, iron work, and even a full roof replacement. The building looks brand new and not nearly 100 years old. Unfortunately, closed and locked in a Saturday morning but during the week is open to walk around. Or just tour the grounds like I did. There is parking at the adjacent sheriff's building. [Review 16787 overall - 1512 in Florida - round number 300 of 2022!]

I am a fan of history and architecture, especially old Florida courthouses. Usually they are…read moreNeoclassical but the Hendry County Courthouse is a bit different. The Old Hendry County Courthouse was built in in 1927 on the corner of Bridge Street and Hickpochee Avenue. The courthouse was designed in the Mediterranean Revival-Mission Revival styles by architect Edward Columbus Hosford. The building is 3 stories with three subsidiary towers with pyramid roofs at the corner of the building. The most striking feature of the building is a large Renaissance 70 foot clock tower that contained a one thousand pound bell. A Seth Thomas electrically-regulated clock that cost $3,000 at the time was added to the tower. The clock would frequently lose time forcing the late Ray C. Hull, Sr. who was chosen for this thinness to climb the inside of the tower to wind the clock. On May 11, 1926 a shameful incident happened in LaBelle that was not uncommon during this period of history in Florida. A mob tortured and lynched an African-American man named Henry Patterson who asked for a glass of water while working on building Hwy 80. He was attacked and hung from a tree south of the newly built courthouse. No one was brought to justice for the murder. After the crime a series of lightning storms struck the tower and eventually the clock and bell were dismantled. The courthouse began operating on May 3, 1927. Ever since then it has served as the center of Hendry County's civic and political functions. On February 22, 1975 a new clock was installed in the tower but it is no longer working. On November 8, 1990, the Hendry County Courthouse was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is currently undergoing restoration. It has been granted two Special Category Grants to rehabilitate, restore and preserve the Old Hendry County Courthouse. The first grant was for $350,000 to rehabilitate the foundation. Another $500,000 has been granted for facade preservation. Once that work is completed it is hoped that another $500,000 dollars will be granted for brick work and installing a new clock at a price of $42,000. An additional $10,000 would be required for bells and chimes in the form of digital carillon Sonata that can programmed to also play hymns and songs. If you go by the courthouse now it is covered in scaffolding. It will be interesting to see how the restoration turns out.

What a fantastic court house!…read more The parking is SHADED & FREE! There was no lines, no wait, everyone was so friendly & professional. Cannot wait to vote! Will Return!

Everyone was so helpful and nice. The staff went above and beyond to make the ceremony room look…read morelike Halloween.

I had jury duty for the very first time since I have lived here and I was not excited about the…read moreconcept as I have never been a fan. I did my civic duty planned in advance showed up on time and sat and waited and in the end was not chosen for a jury and we were sent home early. For me that makes for an excellent experience. Regarding the actual courthouse though there was an extensive line to get in in the morning but they were processing people at a very good rate. You checked in at one of two tables where they took your temperature and asked questions about travel and if you'd experience any symptoms or been exposed to covid. You then moved on to go through the metal detectors which was run as efficiently as most airports I've been in. I was very happy with the experience per se. They directed us to the elevator to go to and to go to the second floor for the next stage of processing. This was fairly easy except no one was limiting how many people could get on an elevator at one time so the one I ended up getting on and ended up having five people on it which was way too many for any type of social distancing. Everyone was wearing a mask and the employees processing people were all wearing gloves. My only real issue was on the second floor where you actually check in and they tell you what courtroom to go to is a very narrow space and I quickly realized if I had arrived in my wheelchair I never could have gotten through it. I'm sure they have some work around but it's not really ADA compliance so far as I can tell. We were sent to a second Bank of elevators and I was in a group that went to the 9th floor. When you get off the elevator there was a deputy who checked that everyone was in the right place and then sat us in fairly well socially distancing in the outer area from the two courtrooms. For overflow they were seen people in the second courtroom that was not the main one. After a short wait they separated us into two separate groups of 15, half waited in the outer area and the rest of us were in the second courtroom. A short bit later the judge came in and briefed us and then went to the main courtroom to start the processing with the first 15 drawers and the lawyers. During break the deputies went through and sanitized all the surfaces. For covid measures I guess I would give him a score of about 85% because of the social distancing problems with the elevators. Mostly it was a good experience and for me the only concern I had was if I had been chosen when brakes would have come as I am on a fairly strict regimen of when I have to eat because of my diabetes. Plus I am constantly watching my blood sugar and sometimes need a boost if I drop low. I'm not sure how this would work without disturbing an ongoing trial. I'm glad I didn't have to stick around. From everything I read through paperwork and their website I generally would not qualify for a medical exemption from serving so I will go whenever they call me and I will prepare as best I can.

so furious with their service. could never get a tag for my vehicle because of forms they wouldn't…read moreaccept. service is completely unacceptable will not be returning!!!

Ellie, Kristan & Betty were wonderful at helping me with what I needed. They took the time to point…read moreme in the right direction. I will say out of the few court houses I've been to they strive At customer service here.

Judge Taylor is amazing. She is funny and kind and doesn't put up with any crap. Love it!! Need…read moremore judges like her!

Now the "Historic Charlotte County Courthouse" as the court functions have been moved to the county…read morejustice center, this building stands restored. Charlotte County, Florida was established on April 23, 1921, when it was carved out of DeSoto County and named for Charlotte Harbor, a name that traces back to the Spanish "Bahia de Carlota" in 1565 and later the English tribute to Queen Charlotte in 1775. Long before its founding, the area saw early Spanish exploration, including visits by Ponce de León and later Hernando de Soto, making Charlotte Harbor one of the earliest documented points of European contact in North America. Punta Gorda became and remains the county seat. Located in Punta Gorda's historic district, the courthouse building was designed in the Classical Revival architecture. Originally constructed between 1927 and 1928, the two-story yellow brick façade features hallmark Classical Revival elements, including a grand portico supported by six large columns, a parapet roof, and pediments that evoke Greek and Roman influences. The courthouse was built after Charlotte County was carved out of DeSoto County in 1921, following decades of local advocacy. Punta Gorda was chosen as the county seat, and the Board of County Commissioners purchased two downtown lots from George Brown. Over the years, the building underwent expansions in the 1960s and 1980s to meet growing administrative needs. However, in 1999, it was replaced by a modern Justice Center and fell into disuse. Recognizing its historical value, the county removed the additions and restored the original structure in 2005. On a Sunday morning, the structure was secured but the outside if still available to walk and appreciate. [Review 1585 of 2025 - 2166 in Florida - 25135 overall]

When Florida became a territory of the United States in 1821, Florida had just two counties and…read morewhat is now Charlotte County was part of St. Johns County. After Florida became a state in 1845, this area became part of Hillsborough County. In 1856, it became part of Manatee County. When DeSoto County was divided into five counties in 1921, Charlotte became one of the five. It was named for the Charlotte Harbor which was named for Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III. From 1921 to 1928 the first county Courthouse was rented space. Two lots were purchased from African-American George Brown for $25,000. A mural on the Olympia Avenue side of the courthouse commemorates his contribution to the building. The new two story yellow brick courthouse was designed in the Classical revival style by architects Leitner and Henson of Dt. Petersburg. It was built seven years after Charlotte became a county, between 1927 and 1928 at a cost of $200,000 by Paul H. Smith of Haines City. For many years the court house was occupied by the Sheriff, School Superintendent, Clerk of the Court, Tax Collector, Tax Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, County Judge and county jail. The jail was on the second floor with an apartment for the jailer and his family. As the county grew the courthouse became too small. Additions were made in the 1960's and 1980's but the county finally outgrew the space. The Justice Center was built in 1999 and the Old Courthouse was closed. The Old Courthouse sat empty for several years and suffered damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004. After the hurricane Charlotte County decided to restore the building. In 2005 the additions were demolished as the Board of County Commissioners undertook the restoration and renovation of the original 1928 structure and its facade that remained. After a million dollar restoration project the courthouse was reopened to the public in a ceremony on February 29, 2008. The Old Courthouse now houses offices for the Supervisor of Elections and U.S. Representative. Voting is held on the second floor.

I came here a few times. Once for arbitration and then for a few other cases for friends. First…read morethings first. Make sure to secure your weapons before coming here. That means no guns, knives, pepper spray, tazers, bullets, shanks, billy clubs, saps truncheons, sling shots, brass knuckles, axs, hammers, whips. also if you have bottled water it must be finished before entering don't ask me why? I think it is a public safety issue. Water fight? What ev? The Lobby is a short covered walk from the parking structure and its free. The staff is pretty efficient and lines move along quickly. As much as I like the legal system I prefer not coming here at all. Jury duty is important and I've been in a few mock jury's I was selected but got kicked out of the pool. I had a negative attitude towards hospital administrators. In Lee Co. Some day I hope to actually get past the pool. And do my doodie for real, someday, soonish.

Waited over an hour on hold just for nobody to answer, website is old and useless. Thankful I don't…read morelive in this county and have to deal with this terrible service.

I had to report for Jury Duty selection here. I needed to be there by 8am the day after MLK…read moreHoliday. First thing you need to know is that to gain entry, you'll be going through a security screening very similar to that of TSA's security procedures at airports. The Deputies manning these stations were professional and thorough. It didn't take long. Reminder, no drinks can be brought through the checkpoint. After a successful screening, I found the Jurors waiting room and found a seat in a large room that could probably accommodate 300 people. I'd say the room was probably 60% filled and over the next 2 hours, at different times, a bailiff or deputy would take a large group upstairs to where 1 of 3 Judges would be starting court proceedings by first selecting Jurors. Before this however, we received important information from workers in the waiting room such as parking, reimbursement, cell phone policy, and cafeteria location. Everyone was professional and helpful. (BTW, there's a special designated parking lot, free for Jurors. You only need to show your summons to the gate attendant in order to park there. It's about a block and a half away.) I was in the third group called. We went up to the 7th floor where a circuit court Judge was planning on trying a felony case. The Judge was very well spoken, had a genuine enthusiasm for his work, and explained in as simplest of terms as possible what the jurors selection would entail. Two attorneys for the state, as well as two attorneys for the defendant, were given chances to question all 41 of us in what is known as "voir dire", in order to finalize the selection of Jurors. Just before 5pm they selected 7 Jurors out of our group. I was not one of them. Just before releasing us, the Judge thanked us and stated that we had fulfilled our Jurors Summons obligations for 1 year. My overall experience was very positive. Every one was very helpful, positive, and professional. The building and rooms are very clean and modern. One should bring a jacket or sweater as the rooms are quite cool. Hours are: Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm

Ok I'm here and it's not my ideal way to spend a day . It's super cold, so if you get a jury…read moresummons, definitely bring a jacket. Staff is helpful with checking you in, explaining reimbursement of parking, where bathrooms, vending machines and cafeteria is. Watched a video on the court process as well as a judge made a presentation. Now just waiting to see if my group gets called. Really well organized and the staff was super nice and helpful. If you lose your summons they can still check you in if you have ID with you . Of course only a judge can excuse people from jury duty but people still asked. Think I'm going to be here all day.... Well at least they have HGTV on.....