Kentucky became the 15th state in the American Union on the 1st day of June 1792. Green County was formed in 1792 becoming effective on the 1st day of January 1793 from parts of Lincoln and Nelson Counties. Green County was named in honor of General Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary War hero.
Greensburg Established
The town of Greensburg was established and incorporated on the 4th day of December 1794, and became the county seat of Green County.
An act to establish a town on the lands of Walter Beal, "in the County of Green" was presented to the general assembly. One hundred acres of land had been "laid off into convenient lots and streets by the said Beal," with a public square for a courthouse.
The one hundred acres were vested in a group of trustees for the purpose of forming a town. The trustees sold the lots to prospective buyers. The purchasers of the lots had three years to build a house, at least 16 square feet, with a brick or stone chimney, and a shingled roof. If they did not do so, the lot would be forfeited and resold by the trustees.
In the first Minute Book the town is recorded as the City of Greensburgh. At that time, "City" was a strange title for the little village of Greensburgh (this spelling continued to be used until about 1818, when the “H” was dropped and it became Greenburg).
The location for the town was above Green River at a natural ford. This crossing became a major north to south roadway. The fording place in the river bed was covered with rock and had a solid bottom, so wagons pulled by teams of oxen, horses, or mules could cross with ease.
First Courthouse Built in Greensburg
At a county court held for Green County on the 11th day of November 1794: "Ordered that the sheriff (Nathaniel Owens, first sheriff of Green County) advertise at the next county court that the building of the courthouse for this county, agreeable to a former order will be let to the lowest bidder at next county court (order book 2 1794-1800, page 1)." This was to become Green County’s first courthouse. It was built of log in 1796 by Isham Burke only four years after the county had been formed. The total cost for the first courthouse made of logs was 135 (English) pounds (about $450 in silver coin). (Minute Book 2, page 20).
Old Stone Courthouse, the "Oldest Courthouse West of the Allegheny Mountains" - 1804
On the 21st day of June, 1802, the commissioners for Green County hired Walter Bullock of Lexington and Daniel White of Green County to build a suitable courthouse of stone. Robert Ball was in charge of the stonework. Edward J. Bullock and Daniel Lisle were the carpenters. There is some contradiction regarding who actually constructed the stone building, though many believe that Thomas "Stonehammer" Metcalfe of Virginia was the stone mason. He later became the tenth governor of Kentucky.
Stone Courthouse Construction
The courthouse was to be built for the total sum of 900 English pounds (equivalent to about $2900 in "specie" silver coin), the sum to be paid in six annual payments of 150 pounds (about $500 silver coin). An extra 18 pounds was to be paid for the construction of an additional fireplace.
Specifications for the construction of the courthouse building are recorded in the Green County clerk’s office in Deed book 4, pages 78-80.
The courthouse building to be two stories high, forty by thirty-four feet from outside to outside, the walls to be two feet thick, and to be sunk in the ground at least two feet in every part and to be twenty-four feet high above the surface at the front door, to have seventeen windows…to have an outside chimney…one fireplace in each jury room, two outside doors. Roof to be sheeted…all exposed wood to be painted…the house to be finished by the 25th day of December 1803 except for the plastering and that by the first day of June following under the penalty of eighteen hundred pounds.
Courthouse Accepted
"We the commissioners appointed by the Court of Green County… have examined the building, are of the opinion that it is completed in a workman-like manner agreeable to his articles entered into with the Said Commissioners. Witness out hands this 25th day of June 1804.
And the Courthouse duly received by the Court."
(Minute book 3, page 156)