This beautiful building was designed by James Gamble Rogers (who also designed several buildings on the Yale and Columbia University campuses) and was completed in 1909. It is in the neoclassical style and features a long portico topped by a cornice supported by massive Ionic columns.
The courthouse is surrounded by multiple allegorical sculptures including "Justice" and "peace" and "Authority" and "Wisdom." The grounds are open and quite accessible to view from all angles.
Metered street parking was available, but it's a Saturday morning. I would expect all of these spots to be busy during the week.
There is a historical marker with more information, "Designed by Architect James Gamble Rogers and dedicated on January 1, 1910, the Shelby County Courthouse is the largest and most ornate in Tennessee. Quarterly Court Chairman James Hill Barret led the movement for the imposing structure with modern amenities. Upon approval of the project and issuance of $1,000,000 in bonds (later supplemented by an additional $500,000), he appointed N.C. Perkins to head the construction committee. Until 1966 this neo~classical building of blue Bedford limestone housed the executive and legislative chambers of Memphis and Shelby County governments, as well as state and local courts. Beginning in 1984 and utilizing taxes paid only by litigants, County Commissioner Charles Perkins directed an extensive, 8-year renovation that resulted in refurbished courtrooms and offices for Circuit, Probate, and Chancery Courts and the Civil Division of General Sessions Court. Many fine details were preserved and augmented, including mahogany doors and paneling, brass doorknobs embossed with the County seal, and walls, pilasters, and flooring comprised of seven varieties of marble."
Bummer the building was closed today.
[Review 19841 overall - 393 in Tennessee - 814 of 2023.] read more