98 steps. Not 100. I don't know why they missed this opportunity for a round number but I counted…read morethem going up and coming back down, getting the same. 98 steps. However, you can drive to the top where there is parking. If you do that, you'll miss the Jackson County Confederate Memorial that is midway on the stairs. The Historical Jackson County Courthouse is a 1913 Classical Revival structure that towers on a hill above and at the end of Sylva's main street. It has served here until 1994 when the new Justice Center opened a couple of miles away. It sat unused for several years until it was refreshed and restored, reopening in 2011 as the Jackson County Public Library complex that includes the Jackson County Historical Association, the Genealogical Society, and the Arts Council. Two stories and constructed of painted brick, it has a monumental portico at the front with large classical columns and is topped with a three-stage cupola above the central block. If you've been to Marshall NC, it does look a lot like the Madison County Courthouse. [Review 531 of 2026 - 4626 in North Carolina - 25713 overall]

All those stairs!!!! They just call to be climbed!! It's a 55 ft elevation gain…read more It's very pretty from the bottom and from the top of the stairs. Take a moment to notice the Mountain View's. It's just lovely. Don't want to climb those stairs? Don't worry you can get to the Library and Courthouse by car.

As several counties have done, the Swain County Courthouse was turned into a heritage museum when…read morecourthouse functions were moved to a modern building elsewhere. This is the "historic" courthouse. Completed in 1909 and designed by Frank Milburn who has done several other courthouse I have visited (Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro North Carolina, the Columbia County in Lake City Florida, Wise County Virginia, Boyd County Catlettsburg Kentucky and Lowndes County Valdosta Georga). The front has a large portico supported by four ionic columns with a pediment at the roof line. On the center of the roof is an octagonal dome with a clock. On this rainy Saturday afternoon, we opted not to tour the museum but did walk the grounds. It's an imposing building, much more so than the current modern courthouse not far away. [Review 524 of 2026 - 4619 in North Carolina - 25706 overall]

BLUF: Museum telling the history of Swain County plus a Gift Shop for Smoky Mountain National Park…read morein the historic circa 1907 courthouse. I love local museums so I was looking forward to checking out the exhibits in the former Swain County courthouse that dates back to 1907. Today the courthouse is the Swain County Heritage Center and in addition to providing exhibits that tell the history of the county, it also has a sizable gift shop related to Smoky Mountains National Park. As a bonus, those planning to visit the National Park can purchase a parking pass at the gift shop. Also, there are restrooms inside the building. I was impressed with how nice the exhibits were and it was helpful to understand the roots of Swain County. I particularly enjoyed learning about the original purpose of the tracks that are now used by the Smoky Mountains Railroad for tourism purposes. The museum is well curated and covers many different aspects of Swain County. For those wanting to pop into the museum, there is street parking in the area as well as a small lot behind The Hotel Everett that is right next to the museum. We appreciated how welcoming the employees were.

I was in the court house yesterday, for jury duty. And must say, all the folks, I encountered were…read moreso friendly, and knowledgeable. I wandered around and was impressed with the amazing beauty of this historical building. Everytime I drive in Sevierville I see it towering over all the other buildings. It makes me grin for it is beautiful. It was build in 1896, and got on the historical registry in 1971. This magnificent structure was designed by noted architect Kenneth McDonald of Louisville, Kentucky. McDonald was known for his Beaux-Arts Classicism design. The building was constructed by C. W. Brown of Lenoir City, at a cost of $21,000.00. From its beginning, the new courthouse has been a symbol of civic pride. The courthouse is a three-story structure, measuring 85 feet by 70 feet. The foundation is made of limestone blocks, 24 to 30 inches thick. The exterior walls up to the main floor are of hand-shaped limestone. They were obtained from a local quarry and hauled to the courthouse site by horse drawn wagons. From the main floor up, the exterior walls are brick, made at local brick yards. The tower is the dominating feature of the Courthouse rising 75 feet above the building. It rises 130 feet from the ground and is made of wood columns 10 inches by 10 inches rising from wood trusses. Midway up the tower is a large Seth Thomas clock which cost $1,353.45. For years, the clock was wound manually but today it's electric and strikes at the top of every hour. The metal dome on top of the tower was made by George G. M. Nichols.

Sevier County is an incredible place to live and work. Support extensions throughout county…read moregovernment are easily accessible and the county mayors office is interactive and hosts numerous community events throughout the year.

There a no shortage of love for Dolly Parton in Sevierville. They even have erected a bronze statue…read moreof Dolly on the Courthouse lawn. And with good reason. Dolly has invested a lot of money in Sevier County with several theme parks. Dolly was born not too far from Sevierville, in Pittman Center. I'm a big Dolly fan and have listened to her music for decades. I love the reading programs for kids that she has championed throughout the country. The bronze statue by Gatlinburg artist, Jim Gray, depicts a young Dolly holding her guitar with her big smile and curly hair sitting on a rock. The statue was dedicated in 1989. Dolly looks casual and approachable. There is limited free parking around the Courthouse.

You can't visit downtown Sevierville without stopping at the Dolly Parton Statue for a photo…read more Parking was easy on a weekday, right out front. Walk across the street and visit Dr. Massey's Bird Dog memorial for a sweet story and a quick stop in to the Salon/Souvenir shop where the sweet owner has pictures with Dolly, stickers and tee shirts. She also has a hair salon in the back decorated with Dolly wallpaper!

Buncombe County was formed in 1791 and named for Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary War officer…read more Nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, the county quickly became a cultural and political center, with Asheville as its seat and growing rapidly in the 1800s thanks to railroads, tourism, and the region's reputation for restorative mountain air. The Buncombe County Courthouse, completed in 1928, stands as a towering example of Beaux-Arts architecture with subtle Art Deco touches. Designed by Douglas Ellington (who is also responsible for the neighboring Asheville City Hall), the courthouse rises seventeen stories, making it the tallest county courthouse in North Carolina. Its limestone façade, classical ornamentation, and richly appointed interior ‐ with marble floors, coffered ceilings, and bronze fixtures ‐ reflect the civic optimism of Asheville's boom years, just before the Great Depression slowed further development. Beside the courthouse stands a three-tiered empty plinth. From 1905 until its removal in 2021, it held a monument to Confederate soldiers, taken down following a vote by county commissioners. The vacant pedestal now serves as a quiet marker of the region's evolving public memory. Asheville is a city of smart parking meters and parking decks. You won't find free parking here. [Review 1234 of 2025 - 4419 in North Carolina - 24786 overall]

So....I got pulled over by the police for what they said was excessive speed....but they didn't…read morehave a Radar in their car, so it was his word against mine....what he did have was me and a car with an expired tag........hey....he had to get me on something if he couldn't nail me for speeding *grin* Having dodged the speeding ticket I still had to get my car inspected and off to the court house to get my ticket dismissed. Now.....mind you...I grew up in this town and have visited this place only a few times in my life (and NO I wasn't locked up here*wink*), but back in the day...you could come in and walk around anywhere....thanks to the idiots overseas, that world of being open has changed completely. You have to enter on the side of the building and pass through metal detectors? If you have a bag it is searched.....ugh! Then as you make your way up to the main foyer you can see what excellent old school architecture and craftsmanship is all about....... 1 more floor up and there is a "assembly line-esk" set up for VERY young attorney like folks that take your ticket.....see you've solved the problem....and send you on your way. And in 2 shakes of a lambs tail I was back out the building.

Early on a Saturday afternoon, the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy was all buttoned up and…read moresecured, which somehow made it even more striking as I walked the quiet square and took in that big presence that really dominates the block. The Classical Revival design hits you right away with those tall columns and the kind of symmetry that feels like it was built to impress. The 1927 construction date shows in all the best ways with that sturdy early 20th century confidence. With no one around, it was easy to stroll the perimeter and just let the building show off in the afternoon light. Cherokee County was formed in 1839 and Murphy has been the county seat from the start. When you see how this courthouse anchors the town, you get why they never moved it. Even locked up, it feels like a place that has seen a lot of local history roll right past its steps. The combination of its scale, the stonework and the mountain backdrop gives it a kind of quiet authority that sneaks up on you. It is impressive and imposing in the best way, and it makes for a surprisingly satisfying stop when you are wandering around town on a slow Saturday. [Review 514 of 2026 - 4609 in North Carolina - 25696 overall]

After jumping through all the hoops to find what I was looking for, paying online for the info,…read morenever received the report.

The lady was rude to me for no good reason so I don't recommend going to that location. I never…read morewill again.. If a person works with the public I believe you should carry yourself with kindness. You have no idea what the person you got a attitude with is going through

I have used this location for their drive thru license renewal. It's pretty hidden , and there…read moreisn't even a sign that's says to take the road, but it's situated between the the court house buildings. The road just looks like a walking path to the back, so it can be misleading. Beats going to East town mall or Farragut to wait in line ! You pull in and it lets you off on Gay st.

Worth the drive to see and walk through the tunnel…read more Read the history, it's really a sad story. They call it the stolen highway

If you didn't know the history of this spot, you might not think it's a big deal but if you do know…read morethe history, it becomes more relevant. Yes, it literally is a road that ends in a very long, dark and wet tunnel. There are also several walking trails nearby. We drove back on the road a little bit and did one of the shorter hikes that leads to a section of the lake. There are other trails that are more strenuous. This is more of an oddity than anything else, but still an interesting place to visit.