The Wake County Courthouse built by John Conroy in 1794-1795 was the first in downtown Raleigh. It was built on a site donated for the purpose by Theophilus Hunter, Sr., and James Bloodworth, who had acquired the southern and northern portions, respectively, of the 300 block. Each donated a half-acre lot to form a full acre lot for the courthouse. A reversionary clause in Bloodworth’s deed stated that his half-acre lot must continue to serve as the site of the courthouse or revert to him or his heirs. As a result, county’s courthouses have continued to occupy the same site. See Murray’s Wake for images of all the courthouses.