Historic Photos of the Rutherford County Courthouse and Public Square
This is the oldest known photograph of the Murfreesboro Square and dates to around 1864. It shows the northeast corner of the Public Square and includes Union cabins around the Courthouse. Notice the cabins and hearths of the Union soldiers' encampment around what is now the Courthouse lawn. The wall around the courthouse was torn down by Union soldiers who used the bricks for their hearths and other purposes.
This photo, reportedly of the Rutherford County Courthouse, was taken in the 1890s. It is part of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Historical Society's inventory of "Civil War Negatives" of Albert Kern. The inventory note reads "Main Street Courthouse.”
This photograph dates to the 1890s and is from the Montgomery County (Ohio) Historical Society's inventory of "Civil War Negatives" of Albert Kern. The inventory simply reads "Courthouse Square.”
Dating to the 1920s, this photo from the Rutherford County Health Department Collection, shows a crowd on the Public Square. An inscription reads “The attendees are packed together in the northwest corner of the Public Square near the Courthouse. A speakers platform has been constructed. Many in the crowd carry banners or signs. A large contingent in the foreground are dressed in white.”
A crowd of people gathered is gathered on the Public Square in Murfreesboro in this photo from the 1920s. The close view shows many looking toward the courthouse with some holding large banners, including one for Almaville and Buchanan.
This photo from the Rutherford County Health Department collection dates to the 1930s and shows a large crowd of people surround the Courthouse in Murfreesboro. Some in the crowd carry flags and banners.
Also from the 1930s this image is from the Nitrate Negatives of the Stones River National Military Park. The inventory reads "Negative depicts the Rutherford County Courthouse. Portions of two other buildings, several cars, one person, and several trees are visible. This scene appears to have been taken from a vantage point in the road directly in front of the courthouse."
In this image from the 1930s, a crowd gathers around the Courthouse. The closely-packed crowd includes men, women and children. Many in the group wear white nurses' caps. A marching band is clustered at the bottom of the court house steps, some with Sousaphones. Several men sit at a speaker's table in the portico of the courthouse. Men an boys view the crowd from a balcony above the speaker and from courthouse windows. From the Rutherford County Health Department Collection
Rutherford County school children gather around the Rutherford County Courthouse in this image from the 1930s. Some students hold up signs with the names of schools. From the Rutherford County Health Department.
Another image from the National Park Service's inventory of Nitrate Negatives of the Stones River National Military Park by O. E. Camp, the description of this photo reads: "Negative depicts a crowd of men and women in front of a building which may be the Rutherford County Courthouse. Most individuals appear to be dressed rather formally. The women appear to be dressed in dresses with hemlines at the mid-calf." It was likely taken in the 1930s.
This photo from the 1940s shows a crowd of people marching in a parade on the Rutherford County Courthouse lawn. From the Rutherford County Health Department Collection.
Rutherford County Courthouse today. Photo by Michelle Willard
Rutherford County Courthouse today. Photo by Michelle Willard
