IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1274 

Honoring the historic and community significance of the Chatham County 

Courthouse and expressing condolences to Chatham County and the 

town of Pittsboro for the fire damage sustained by the courthouse on 

March 25, 2010. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 20, 2010 

Mr. ETHERIDGE (for himself, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mrs. MYRICK, 

Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. KISSELL, Mr. SHULER, Mr. JONES, Mr. WATT, 

Mr. COBLE, Ms. FOXX, Mr. MILLER of North Carolina, Mr. MCINTYRE, 

and Mr. MCHENRY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the historic and community significance of the 

Chatham County Courthouse and expressing condolences 

to Chatham County and the town of Pittsboro for the 

fire damage sustained by the courthouse on March 25, 

2010. 

Whereas, on March 5, 1881, the General Assembly of North 

Carolina approved legislation allowing the Board of Justices of Chatham County to replace the existing 

architecturally unsound Chatham County courthouse with 

a new facility and provided the county with construction 

bonds of up to $12,000; 


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•HRES 1274 IH 

Whereas Thomas B. Womack designed the plans for the 

Chatham County Courthouse, and J. Bynum and William 

Lord London of Pittsboro, North Carolina, were awarded 

the construction contract; 

Whereas, on September 1, 1881, members of Columbus 

Lodge 102 laid the cornerstone of the new courthouse in 

Pittsboro, and on July 4, 1882, the new courthouse was 

completed; 

Whereas the Chatham County Courthouse is a three-story 

brick structure with a two-story classical portico topped 

by a distinguishing three-stage cupola; 

Whereas county courthouses are focal points of justice and 

the rule of law in communities across the country, and 

the Chatham County Courthouse serves as the central 

landmark of Pittsboro and Chatham County; 

Whereas the historic Chatham County Courthouse was partially destroyed by a tragic fire that broke out on March 

25, 2010, at approximately 4:15 p.m; 

Whereas firefighters, led by Chatham Country Fire Marshal 

Thomas Bender, courageously fought the blaze and protected surrounding buildings from damage; 

Whereas government officials of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Chatham County, and the 

town of Pittsboro have worked tirelessly to ensure the 

continuity of judicial operations in Chatham County and 

to develop a plan to restore the courthouse; and 

Whereas the North Carolina court system, Chatham County, 

and the town of Pittsboro experienced a significant and 

tragic loss as a result of the March 25, 2010, fire: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 1274 IH 

1 (1) expresses condolences to the North Carolina 

2 court system, Chatham County, and the town of 

3 Pittsboro for the tragic loss of the Chatham County 

4 Courthouse; 

5 (2) commends the heroic actions of the Chat6 ham County firefighters and first responders who 

7 worked tirelessly to combat the Courthouse fire, 

8 minimize the damage to the Courthouse and the his9 toric materials contained therein, and protect the 

10 public; and 

11 (3) recognizes the community significance of 

12 the Courthouse as both the most significant historic 

13 landmark and the cornerstone of justice and the rule 

14 of law in Chatham County. 

Æ 


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