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From Friends of Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse

Swan Quarter, NC – The Friends of Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse (Friends) recently installed a new marker near the old Hyde County courthouse which acknowledges that the building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 10, 1979.

Funding for the new marker was provided by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Syracuse, NY. The foundation is the Nation’s leading funder of historical roadside markers.

The brown with white lettering cast aluminum marker measures 18” x 32” and is mounted on a 7’ aluminum pole. It has been installed on the Oyster Creek Road (NC 45) side of the old courthouse.

It had long been thought that the oldest section of this courthouse was completed in 1854; however, research completed in 2011 determined that the date was actually 1838. Additions were added to the structure in 1892 and 1909.

Friends Chairman Margie Brooks expressed her gratitude. 

“Thanks to the Pomeroy Foundation for this beautiful marker,” Brooks said. “Their generous donation brings us one step closer to fulfilling our mission of preserving, protecting, and sustaining this historic Hyde County landmark.”

Brooks went on to say, “The people at Sewah Studios, Inc. in Marietta, Ohio who actually designed and cast the marker, did a fantastic job. It is an eye-catching marker and will stand in honor of this Hyde County landmark for many years to come.”

The Friends of Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse was organized in 2010 by local supporters of their old courthouse which had been abandoned following Hurricane Isabel in September 2003. As an IRS recognized nonprofit organization its mission is to develop and implement a sound economic strategy for the preservation and utilization of the old courthouse in order to promote community, cultural, educational, ecological, and economic development.

The building is currently unoccupied and awaiting much-needed repairs and restoration. A formal dedication ceremony will be planned for a future date.

For more information about the Friends group, visit: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfHydeCountysHistoricCourthouse.