Located in the heart of the Square in Oxford, the Lafayette County Courthouse has been standing tall since 1872. Just one year after the courthouse’s 150th anniversary, the building has massive cosmetic renovations underway.
Cobwebbed in a metal skeleton, the courthouse’s renovations have been in progress since July 17. J.P. Corp General Contractors is the construction company completing the renovations. Their budget is $2.28 million, which was granted to them after the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted to make the renovations this summer.
“The project itself is a restoration of the entire courthouse with the addition of a newly installed sprinkler system,” J.P. Corp General Contractors President Josh Parker said. “We have been tasked to remove and restore all exterior windows, install new storm windows, replace any damaged fascia material (and) paint the entire interior and exterior of the building. In addition, we are repairing any damaged gutters and replacing any damaged cast stone at the entry columns. The balconies will receive new tile work and there is a little HVAC work required, along with the addition of some copper curbs on the roof to facilitate the added HVAC work.”
Erin Davis has been an Oxford resident for almost 38 years. She moved around frequently growing up, but she says Oxford is where she was raised and where she calls home. The Lafayette County Courthouse was a landmark for her growing up, as it has been for many. She has always found it stunning.
Davis shared that she used to work in the court system and thus has seen many courthouses in her day. She says that Lafayette County’s is the most gorgeous.
“I have always loved it,” Davis said. “I worked in the courts for 10 years in different states; I think it’s the most beautiful courthouse I’ve ever seen.”
Cautiously optimistic, Davis is aware of the courthouse’s renovations. She is looking forward to seeing the final product, but she hopes that the history of the courthouse is not lost in the makeover.
“I’m excited to see what it looks like. I’m hoping that they try and replicate the history and not lose it in the process,” Davis said.
Davis adds that she is fully aware of the problems the courthouse currently faces, however, and thinks they need to be remedied in this revival.
“Having served jury duty in there, I know how stinking cold that building gets,” Davis said. “They need new windows – things like that. It also gets ridiculously hot in the summer, so some of the renovations that they’re making, I’m hoping, are going to be more energy efficient for jurors and other individuals that work there.”
Parker revealed that renovations had a year to be completed once they started, meaning that they are set to be finished in July 2024.
