The Chatham County Courthouse, built in 1881 and since Pittsboro's most distinguished landmark, caught fire around 4:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon, and by 6 p.m. was a smoldering skeleton of its former self. 

The Carrboro Citizen (03/25/10)

Read the full story here...

Read other articles about the fire:
Historic Chatham County courthouse burns (News & Observer 3/25/10)
Chatham County Courthouse Up In Flames (WCHL 3/25/10)
Crews Battle Large Fire At Chatham County Courthouse (WFMY 3/25/10) 

Interested in the history of the courhouse?  Click here to learn about the building and see photos thought to be taken by Dorothea Lange.