Historic Halls in Augusta

 Bracken County has a historic relic in its Court House and jail now standing in Augusta and used as a private residence.  The building is of log construction, the jail portion being reinforced with stone.

The historic old building dates back to 1796 when the first term of court was held in the building.  The walls of the jail that is connected with the main portion of the building are more than two feet thick.  The entire structure is in a splendid state of preservation, the original appearance, however, being much changed by the weather boarding since applied.  Owing to the fact that the county seat was subsequently moved from Augusta to Brooksville, comparatively few knew of the existence of the original Bracken County Court House until the fact was authenticated.

The old Court House is of the same type of architecture and general construction as those that marked the pioneer period of Kentucky.  Usually the jail was attached to the Court House, and extra heavy logs were used in the construction.  Few of the historic structures remain but the ruins of a few may yet be seen in various parts of the State.

It has been suggested that, with such a historic relic as its original Court House and jail, Bracken County might acquire the building, remove the weather boarding and make of it a county museum for the display and preservation of relics and mementos portraying the early history of that county.  Adoption of such a plan would afford Augusta a unique attraction that would be of decided interest to all who might travel that way.  What is more, hardly any other county in Kentucky could duplicate it.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal, Sunday, November 18, 1928