This courthouse was completed in 1884 directly north of the site of an earlier structure on the square in the center of Covington, Georgia. Newton County was taken from Henry, Jasper and Walton Counties in 1821 by an act of the Georgia legislature.

Newton County was named in honor of John Newton, whose heroic deeds included the freeing of captured American sailors who were being transported to Savannah for trial. He was captured after the surrender of Savannah and died in a prison camp established by the British.

Covington is named for Leonard Covington, who rose through the ranks to brigadier general. Covington, under the command of James Wilkerson, began moving up the St. Lawrence River towards Montreal when he unexpectedly came on two crack English regiments under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Morrison. Although the Americans outnumbered the British 5 to 2, they were soundly defeated because of Wilkerson's tactics. The engagement is known today as the Battle of Crysler's Farm, although the entry for Covington in the Senate guide lists the battle as Chrysler's Field.

The Georgia Historical marker for the county is across the street in the square, as is a monument honoring the Confederate dead.

One of the best-known of all Georgia county courthouses, the building was repeatedly featured in the television show, In The Heat of the Night. The series was filmed locally and settings within the city of Covington served as places for the fictional Georgia town of Sparta, where the series took place.

Location: Downtown Covington, Georgia
Directions: Take I-20 east from Atlanta to exit 90, Turner Hill Rd./SR 12/U. S. 278. Follow Turner Hill Road south to Clark Street, turn right and the courthouse will be on the left.
Additional information:
Web site: Newton County
Newton County, Georgia
Date added: August 28, 2005
Last update: August 28, 2005