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The Old Courthouse is a wonderful part of the Louisiana State Museum under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Designed by Favrot and Livaudais, a prominent New Orleans architectural firm, the old courthouse is an excellent example of style labeled Richardsonian Romanesque. Popular between 1880-1900, the style contained characteristics such as rough-faced masonry, heavy rounded arches and towers. Windows were recessed and often grouped with colonnettes separating them. Color was employed utilizing different textures of stone or brick; and ornamentation was floral, carved directly into the masonry. You can experience this historic site thanks to the Louisiana Lt. Governor's Office

Exhibits

The Old Courthouse has a wealth of history to offer. The beautiful building was spared from destruction in the mid twentieth century because the committee selected to oversee the plans for the new courthouse was composed of lawyers who did not get along with the District Judge. They did not want to give him space in the new building so they excluded the courtroom. Robert Ripley printed an item in his "Believe It Or Not" column about the courthouse without a courtroom. Since this old building had a perfectly good courtroom, it was left untouched and was used until a courtroom was added to the present courthouse.

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