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1886 Courthouse

Duval County's first courthouse was built on this site in the 1840's
and was burned during the Civil War.  The second court building
(shown above) was completed on the same spot in 1886, and it
was constructed with unusually thick brick walls.  Of all the buildings
burned in the Fire of 1901, these walls were the only ones that remained
 largely intact (see photo below). 


Courthouse after the 1901 Fire

In 1902 architect Rutledge Holmes was commissioned to design
the new county courthouse on the opposite side of Market Street
and also to design a military armory on this site of the old court, using
the remaining walls of the former burned building. 


The new armory built from the burned courthouse walls.

A new facade was created covering the old bricks with artificial stone,
 retaining the outline of the previous building except for the clock tower. 
It continued in use as an armory until 1916, when a new larger armory
was constructed at 851 North Market Street.


 Architect Rutledge Holmes designed the new courthouse (left)
and the armory (right), which faced each other on Market Street.