COLUSA COUNTY, CA: THE “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” COURTHOUSE
Colusa County has the second oldest working courthouse in California and the oldest remaining courthouse in the Sacramento Valley. The 1860 Federal/Classic Revival style courthouse is perhaps most famous for the use of its exterior to represent the courthouse in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1962 classic film To Kill A Mockingbird by author Harper Lee. The courthouse dominates the central business district of Colusa. Its “Southern” architectural style, featuring a large portico and four classic columns, made it a perfect stand-in for the fictional Southern town. A local garden club maintains the beautiful flower beds in front of the courthouse.
No. 15 Colusa County Courthouse
Location: 547 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932
Constructed: 1861
Architect: Vincent Brown of Marysville, CA
Current Use: Courthouse
California Historical Landmark No. 890: 1976
Today Colusa County has a population of approximately 22,000 while its largest city Colusa, the county seat, has a population of approximately 6500 residents. Colusa is 65 miles northwest of the state capital, Sacramento. It has an agricultural economy with primary crops of rice, almonds, walnuts and tomatoes.
As of 1878 a county jail connected to the second floor of the courthouse and was used until 1915. The tramway became known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ In the early days of the courthouse, the courtroom on the second floor was the center of cultural, social, and religious activities in the farming community. Funeral services were even conducted in the courtroom. Honorable Richard E. Patton, Judge of the Superior Court of Colusa, The Colusa County Courthouse and Jails, A Short Sketch (1968).
The two-story Classic Revival courthouse features a white 56’ x 65’ brick structure with a high portico and an octagonal cupola. A California golden bear stands above the front door, atop the four 30-foot columns. The dome was originally on the courthouse building but it soon developed leaks. In 1867 a cupola replaced the dome. The cupola was remodeled into a bell tower in 1886. IN the 19th century the bell rang out, announcing each session of the court, and summoning jury persons, witnesses, lawyers, and litigants. Patton, supra. The Southern architectural style reflects the county’s heritage from the Ante-Bellum South and States-Rights sympathies during the Civil War.
It is rumored that in 1865 several citizens of Colusa celebrated the assassination of President Lincoln. Federal troops were dispatched to the town, and they camped on the courthouse grounds. The troops arrested the District Attorney and several other citizens on unspecified grounds. They were taken to and jailed at Fort Alcatraz in San Francisco. After several weeks in custody, the defendants were unconditionally released. Patton, supra.
Thanks to Judge Brendan Farrell of the Superior Court of California for the tour and history of the Colusa County courthouse. He is dedicated to the preservation of this historic building.
