Around 1799, William Appling deeded a tract of land to the county for the purpose of building a courthouse. It was near Kiokee Creek and the Baptist Church which Marshall had founded. A courthouse was constructed, and served the county until around 1808. The small town that existed around the church and courthouse came to be known as "Columbia Courthouse." In 1809, the Baptist congregation left the town and constructed a new meeting house (a building which survives) several miles away near the junction of Kiokee and Greenbrier creeks. That same year, construction began on a new courthouse, which was completed in 1812. In 1816, Columbia Courthouse was chartered as the Town of Appling, named for the Appling family who had donated the land to the county, and for Colonel John Appling, a local resident who died in a campaign against the Seminole.
around 1799 william appling deeded a tract of land to the county for the purpose of building a courthouse it was near kiokee creek and the baptist church which marshall had founded a courthouse was constructed and served the county until around 1808 the small town that existed around the church and courthouse came to be known as "columbia courthouse" in 1809 the baptist congregation left the town and constructed a new meeting house (a building which survives) several miles away near the junction of kiokee and greenbrier creeks that same year construction began on a new courthouse which was completed in 1812 in 1816 columbia courthouse was chartered as the town of appling named for the appling family who had donated the land to the county and for colonel john appling a local resident who died in a campaign against the seminole