Columbia County Courthouse

The Columbia County Courthouse is a striking example of Second Renaissance Revival architecture. It was built in 1906 and situated prominently in a public square in the center of the city's business district. Its most notable feature is the main entrance, which consists of a three-bay arcade and a portico above with Corinthian columns supporting a pediment. The courthouse also represents the role the county government has played in the county. In addition, the town square was the site of the lynching of an African-American man named Jordan Jameson on November 11, 1919. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Columbia County Courthouse

The courthouse is the third to occupy this site. The first one—a temporary log structure—was built in 1852 when the county was established. The second was built in 1856 and it was used until about 1905 when it was torn down to make way for the current courthouse, which was completed in 1906.

The lynching of Jordan Jameson

A white mob ritualistically killed Jordan Jameson at the town square, near the courthouse, on November 11, 1919. A white mob brought him to the square, tied him to a stake, and built fire around their victim. The lynching was in retaliation for Jameson's alleged murder of the local sheriff, Benjamin. E. Greer on November 7. According to the local press, Greer and two deputies went to Jameson's house to arrest him on charges of beating his wife. Upon entering the house, Jameson shot and killed Greer, then fled. A posse of white men found Jameson early in the morning on the 11th about five miles from Magnolia. While the posse was taking him to Magnolia, a white mob seized him and brought him to the town square where Jameson was killed instead being allowed to stand trial for the alleged crime. Members of the local Black community buried his remains.

Groshong, Danny. "Columbia County Courthouse." Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Last Updated May 19, 2015. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/columbia-county-courthouse-7538.

Lancaster, Guy. "Jordan Jameson (Lynching of)." Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Last Updated February 19, 2020. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/jordan-jameson-13490.

Frezil, Miller. "Columbia County Courthouse." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 15, 1978. https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/national-registry/CO0388-pdf.