Paulding County Courthouse
Why it's listed
Paulding County Courthouse occupies a small square in downtown Dallas, Georgia. Completed in 1892 to designs by Bruce & Morgan and built by G. M. Roberts & Co., it is a rectangular Queen Anne building of brick and stone with terra cotta trim. Its asymmetrical massing includes a large round entrance arch, a five-stage clock tower with an open belfry and four clocks, and an octagonal tower decorated with foliate and geometric terra cotta panels. Windows vary in shape, and the roof is hipped. The foundation is rough stone masonry. A 1956 renovation by Harry E. Roos altered the interior, lowering the courtroom ceiling and adding wood paneling and acoustical tile. The courthouse is recognized as one of several Queen Anne designs Bruce & Morgan produced for Georgia counties, notable for its abundant terra cotta. Its picturesque character is described as reflecting the community's cultural traditions in the early 1890s. The survey form rates its condition as poor.
Significance in brief: It is one of several Queen Anne designs Bruce & Morgan used for Georgia courthouses and features a large amount of terra cotta panels and trim. Its picturesque quality is said to reflect community cultural traditions of the early 1890s.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001218, listed September 18, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Courthouse Sq., Dallas |
|---|---|
| County | Paulding County |
| Listed | September 18, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001218 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architects Bruce & Morgan; contractor G. M. Roberts & Co.; 1956 renovation by Harry E. Roos, architect, with E. P. Austin Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Economics, Law, Politics/Government, Architecture, Communications |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is marked poor on the survey form, with a note about verifying structural soundness; the interior has been much altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.92407, -84.84125 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001218.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16896512
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.