WINNSBORO, S.C. — Anyone passing by the Fairfield County Courthouse in downtown Winnsboro in the past week may have noticed the beginnings of planned renovations of the historic structure. On February 8, Fairfield County Circuit Court proceedings moved down the street from 101 S Congress St. to the Family Court Courtroom at 115 S Congress St. in Winnsboro, so that renovations could begin.
According to the project manager overseeing the Courthouse renovations, plans are to break the work down into three phases:
- Phase 1 included toilet upgrades and updating Life Safety Plans
- Phase 2 is a 5,000-square-foot addition providing new offices for solicitors, public defenders and their staffs. The first two phases are more or less completed and the new offices should be occupied over the next few weeks.
- Phase 3 considers the age of the building and, in addition to remodeling office areas, new doors, ceiling grids and trim work, will tackle asbestos abatement, the removal and replacement of water heaters, ductwork, HVAC systems, and the installation of new fire alarms and lighting.
The overall renovation project is expected to take about a year to complete. During that time, all court staff offices and other courthouse offices will remain in use until the renovation process dictates relocation.
A historical marker outside 101 S Congress St. tells the history of the Fairfield County Courthouse. The building was built in 1822 by William McCreight, under the supervision of renown architect Robert Mills. Mills designed the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, and the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. His home at 1616 Blanding Street is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the headquarters for Historic Columbia.
In 1844, the first alterations and additions were made to Fairfield County Courthouse. The building underwent another addition in 1939 when G. Thomas Harmon oversaw the two rear wings and flying stairways in the front. The building is listed on the National Register as part of the Winnsboro Historic District.
The 2024 renovations are estimated to cost $6 million.
