As quoted from the historical marker:

Most imposing public building in early Robertson County.

After becoming County Seat in 1870, Calvert lost many of its leaders in the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. As planned, this courthouse was begun in 1875; but before its completion, Franklin was named county seat in 1879.

Robert A. Brown, a merchant, investor, and planter, purchased this building in 1885. With help of his wife, Lucy Herndon Brown, he made it into a residence. In 1909 his heirs sold it to Mrs. Fannie L. Hammond, in whose family it remained until 1966, when it became a museum.

At that time (in 1909) Mrs. Fannie L Hammond sold the building to her daughter Susie Hammond Norton. In September, 1995 the Calvert Chamber of Commerce deeded the Hammond House to Mrs. Hammond’s grandson, Mr. Bill Norton.

The first of four phases for stabilizing, restoring, and occupying the house, the conditions report released in April 1996 documented the existing condition of the property, the main house (former courthouse), the kitchen building (former jail), and the carriage house. Recommendations for stabilization, repair, estimated construction costs, and opinions of the noted professionals became the basis of work for the next three phases: phase two-restoration of the Hammond House and grounds, phase three-restoration of the Kitchen building, and phase four-restoration of the Carriage House and its grounds.

Now known as Ingraham Castle Bed and Breakfast, it is owned and operated by Dennis and Rebecca Joyce.