The Old Courthouse was built overnight as a way to make Clearwater the county seat for Pinellas. The plan worked.
Supposedly, Clearwater residents knew of a law that prohibited moving the county seat for 20 years after construction of a courthouse. A makeshift structure appeared virtually overnight.
However, a more permanent building was designed by architect Francis J. Kennard in the Classical Revival style and completed in 1918.
The county has retained and restored the historic courthouse. It is now surrounded by newer buildings.