Cleburne County Courthouse (Alabama)

The Cleburne County Courthouse is a Classical Revival courthouse in Heflin, Alabama. Built in 1907, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

History
In March 1905, residents of Heflin and southern Cleburne County petitioned governor William Jelks to move the county seat from Edwardsville to Heflin. A referendum was held in December 1905, and Heflin won by 88 votes. Despite legal battles over the move, ground was broken on a new courthouse in Heflin, with the cornerstone being laid on July 4, 1907. The wings of the courthouse were expanded in 1938 using funds from the Public Works Administration.

Architecture
The Neoclassical style was popular for public buildings in the early 20th century. The courthouse is a two-story brick structure with a central pavilion and wings. The first floor of the façade has three arched openings which support a temple form on the upper floor consisting of plain pilasters flanking Ionic pilasters supporting a shallow pediment. Arched windows are in the open spaces between pilasters. The pavilion is topped with a domed clock tower. The wings, added in 1938, are recessed 2 ft from the façade.

The first floor plan is T-shaped, and mainly houses offices. The courtroom dominates the second floor. Interior details consist of mosaic tile floors and heavy, dark wood balustrades on the stairs and in the courtroom.