Desoto County Courthouse

As one of Hernando's most recognizable landmarks, the DeSoto County Courthouse has long served as the centerpiece of the town square. Grinder, Taber & Grinder was entrusted with preserving its historic character while modernizing the facility to better serve today's needs.

The renovation touched nearly every area of the property. On the exterior, GTG replaced all existing sidewalks with wider, more symmetrical walkways featuring decorative paver accents at the main entrance. The surrounding landscaping was refreshed with native Mississippi plantings, while great care was taken to preserve the courthouse's beloved azaleas.

Inside, GTG updated every courtroom with new carpet, replaced outdated VCT flooring in the corridors with timeless terrazzo, renovated the public restrooms with new tile and fixtures, added baby changing stations in the men's restrooms, and constructed a new secure holding area with inmate holding cells.

Keeping the courthouse fully operational throughout construction required careful planning. Much of the interior work was completed after hours and on weekends to avoid disrupting court proceedings, while exterior work was phased to maintain access to the main entrance and accommodate Hernando's annual A-Fair. GTG also navigated unexpected conditions common in historic buildings, including sidewalks nearly 24 inches thick and concealed utilities beneath the structure. Before installing new plumbing for the secure area, the team used X-ray imaging to locate electrical conduit and other hidden systems within the slab, allowing work to proceed without interrupting courthouse operations.

The completed renovation preserves one of DeSoto County's most important civic buildings while enhancing accessibility, functionality, and the visitor experience, ensuring the courthouse remains a community landmark for generations to come.

Joe Luther, photography