Jefferson County Courthouse

The Jefferson County Courthouse hosted the trial of John Brown following his failed raid on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, and it was damaged during the Civil War.

The first Jefferson County courthouse was built in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1803. It was a two-story structure that included a tower. In 1836 the building was torn down to make way for a bigger courthouse. The new building consisted of a first floor that served as one large courtroom and it featured a belltower. This building still stands today.

In 1859 the Jefferson County Courthouse hosted the trial of John Brown and his conspirators, which followed their failed October 16–18, 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry. Brown’s trial took place October 26–31, 1859 and resulted in his conviction for treason against Virginia, inciting a slave insurrection, and murder. Six other conspirators were subsequently tried and convicted at the same courthouse. All were hanged.

During the Civil War, Charles Town changed hands a number of times. On October 18, 1863, Confederate troops under John Imboden surrounded the courthouse, which was occupied by Union troops. The building was damaged in the short fight that followed. During the war the courthouse was also used as a stable and its metal roof was removed and used to make ammunition. By the end of the war, the county seat had been moved to Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where a new building served as county courthouse.

In 1872 the county seat was returned to Charles Town, and the courthouse was repaired and improved. The renovations included a new second floor courtroom and an enlarged belltower that housed a clock. From 1873 to 1912 the courthouse was home to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Today the Jefferson County Courthouse still serves as a working courthouse.