The Old Pinellas County Courthouse

Pinellas County, formed in 1912, quickly outgrew its original courthouse, and in 1916 the Board of County Commissioners approved a $160,000 bond issue to build a new courthouse and jail. Architect Francis J. Kennard designed the project, and the land was purchased for $5,000 on January 19, 1917. Construction contracts totaling $119,823 were awarded to Bates, Hudnall, & Jetton for the courthouse and G.A. Miller & Company for the jail. Completed on time and within budget in 1918, the building housed county business records and commissioners' offices on the first floor, with a large courtroom, judges' offices, and jury and grand jury rooms on the second floor. An excellent example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture like other early 20th century Florida public buildings, it was the first permanent building in Pinellas County erected as the seat of county government and was designated a local historic landmark by the City of Clearwater in partnership with the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board in 2015.

Clearwater, Florida · United States