Whittling on the Courthouse lawn was a time honored tradition in Clay County for many years. The Clay County Pictorial History includes some wonderful photographs of men sitting on benches outside the Courthouse, whittling away. Some of the whittlers listed include Frank “Hatchett” Weaver, Henry Swann, Carlos Collins, Willie Green, Mr. Dubree, Ira Barlow, and Archie Webb.
For a while there was a Facebook group named “The Old Whittlers on the Clay County Courthouse Square” that is dedicated to remembering the whittlers on the courthouse square. This group featured photos and memories of the colorful individuals who once habituated the courthouse lawn.
Some local stories even indicate that the benches on the lawn used by the whittlers were known as “liar’s bench.” The use of the courthouse lawn for whittling and social interaction also illustrates the vital importance of the courthouse to the community.
As the National Trust for Historic Preservation has noted, “The older courthouse was a magnet that attracted people, and with their influx came business, trade, and the growth of the town. There was always a bustle of activity in the area of the square.”