Welcome to the Barnwell County Courthouse, complete with a beautiful park and unique sundial on its grounds. Several buildings on the present site succeeded the original courthouse, built in the Boiling Springs community in 1789. The present courthouse was built in 1878-79, and has undergone two major renovations, the most recent in 1998. Its stately courtroom is widely recognized as the most beautiful and functional in the state of South Carolina.
The unique sundial is believed to be the only vertical sundial in the United States. Capt. Joseph D. Allen, a wealthy resident, had the sundial made in Charleston, South Carolina and presented it to the citizens of Barnwell in September 1858. Remarkably, it is accurate within two minutes at Eastern Standard Time.
The courthouse can be entered from the front at ground level or, when court is in session, by taking the circular wrought iron stairs up to the second level, which allows entry directly into the courtroom. Additionally, the courthouse can be accessed through the county office building on its east side, and through the county administration building at its rear. Finally, entry can also be gained through the park courtyard, at which point there is an elevator for use by those who cannot climb the stairs.
The offices of the Clerk of Court are located on the first floor of the courthouse.
Parking is available all around the courthouse/county government complex, with the most abundant space in the city parking lot at the corner of Wall and Allen streets.