[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHARLES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, It is a great pleasure to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues the celebration of the 100th anniversary of 
the Charles County Courthouse in Maryland. Located in the town of La 
Plata with a unique history, the Courthouse has special meaning to the 
entire region.
  Court was convened for the first time at the Charles County 
Courthouse on May 25, 1658, in what is currently referred to as Port 
Tobacco. In 1674, a building was erected at Moore's Lodge about one 
mile from La Plata. This building was abandoned in 1728 and the courts 
moved back to original dwellings in Port Tobacco. This was one of the 
earliest known communities on the east coast and it later became the 
site of Charles County Colonial government.
  The courthouse was completed in 1729 at a cost of 12,000 pounds of 
tobacco. Destroyed by a windstorm in the early 1800's, a brick 
structure was built on the same site and occupied by 1820. A suspicious 
fire completely destroyed the courthouse, reportedly due to the 
controversy surrounding the proposed move of the county seat to La 
Plata. In 1894, the legislature approved moving the county seat and 
provided for a special election to determine the site. On June 4, 1895 
La Plata was picked to become the county seat. Completed in 1896 under 
architect Joseph C. Johnson, a brick Victorian Gothic edifice was built 
on the present site.
  This new courthouse changed little over the years, until the 
completion of the south addition in 1954. This addition was actually 
much larger than the original courthouse, easily doubling the size. The 
courthouse was dedicated with fitting ceremonies on October 2, 1954. In 
the mid-1970's, the rear of the 1896 building was extended in a typical 
18th century style, completely covering the old structure. Today the 
courthouse is in continuous use, serving as one of the focal points of 
the growing Charles County region.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating 
the fine people of Charles County on this momentous occasion and in 
wishing the best of luck for the courthouse and its occupants over the 
next 100 years.

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