SUWANNEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

By  Mike Miller July 26, 2025

The Suwannee County Courthouse in Live Oak, Florida is a historic government building.  Built in 1904, it serves as the county seat for Suwannee County. The courthouse is a focal point of downtown Live Oak.

It houses courtrooms, administrative offices, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  Visitors can explore its architecture and learn about local history.

Suwannee County Courthouse

Suwannee County was established in 1858. Live Oak became the county seat in 1868.

The first courthouse, built in 1873, was a wooden structure costing $8,000. It burned down, leading to the construction of the current courthouse in 1904.

Designed by Benjamin B. Smith in the Renaissance Revival style, it was built by Hugger Brothers of Montgomery, Alabama.

The cornerstone was laid on February 29, 1904, with Masonic lodges present. Renovations occurred in 1965 and 2000 to modernize the building.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, it remains one of Florida’s oldest active courthouses. 

The Suwannee County Courthouse is at 200 South Ohio Avenue, Live Oak, FL 32064, at the corner of Warren Street.

It’s a working courthouse open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM for public services.

Courtroom access may be restricted during sessions; call (386) 362-0500 for schedules. The building is in downtown Live Oak, with street parking nearby.

Check local signs for parking rules. Visitors can walk the grounds or view the exterior anytime.

Bring ID for entry. Photography is allowed outside but may be limited inside. 

• The courthouse’s clock tower, the tallest structure in Live Oak in 1904, was visible and audible citywide.
  
  
• Its yellow brick facade replaced simpler wooden courthouses common in North Florida.
  
  
• The 1965 renovation survived Hurricane Dora’s flooding with minimal damage.
  
  
• Eric Musgrove, a local historian and Clerk employee, authored books on Suwannee County’s history.
  
  
• The courthouse faced demolition in the 1960s but was preserved due to community efforts.

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