Leaders look to reinvent the old Sumner County Courthouse
In 1939, Sumner County grew beyond its courthouse capacity. The county tore it down and built what is now the historic courthouse in Gallatin's Square.
'It was a big deal to have this new courthouse; there were about 30,000 people in the county then,' Sumner County historian Kenneth Thompson said.
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'It's endless — what happened here. I don't know where to start,' Thompson said. 'It was the center of the town and everything revolved around it.'
It was built under President Franklin Roosevelt's program that funded public works projects and became a hub for nearly every county job.
'Everything was in this building, including the sheriff,' Thompson listed. 'The sheriff was in the basement when I was young, and they had the jail on the top floor.'
For 84 years, the courthouse was home to criminal and civil cases.
'One lady discovered that her husband was having an affair,' Thompson said. 'She sued the woman he was going with for alienation of affection.'
In 2025, the courthouse is a reflection of years gone by.
'I love looking at the old wooden walls,' Sumner County mayor John Isbell said. 'There's a map [of Sumner County]when you walk into this courthouse.'
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But as the county's population grew, it was time for a new courthouse.
'We were operating one set of courts out of this building, one set of general sessions out of another building, and then juvenile out of another building,' Isbell explained. 'So us being able to consolidate that for the citizens into one modern courthouse was, really, a feat.'
The new Sumner County Courthouse opened in June 2024, leaving the old one vacant and awaiting its future in the square.
'We need to try to save it, and this is no exception,' Isbell said. 'There is a storied history on the square, and it is my goal to make sure that we maintain that history.'
Like most old buildings, the old courthouse has a mold issue. However, the mayor told News 2 the plan is to remove the mold and use the building in a new way.
'It could be for office space for attorneys since the new courthouse is right here,' Thompson thought. 'They could put attorneys in this building and fill it up.'
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'What I would like to do is bring in a committee made up of citizens and people — stakeholders who have a vested interest in maintaining the charm and character of this building,' Isbell said.
For now, the old courthouse provides a glimpse into the past as Sumner County looks toward its future.
'I am looking forward to the future, but I am also looking forward to preserving our past,' Isbell said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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