Few people like going to court. But like trips to the dentist, it’s necessary, but sometimes painful.

So it was a bit ironic Monday as crowds of Natchez residents poured into the doors of the area’s newest courtroom, at the new federal courthouse in downtown Natchez.

Natchez is excited about having a federal courthouse again.

The new courthouse — actually an extensive renovation of an existing building — brings with it jobs and direct economic impact.

Each attorney, each court reporter working any case before the court will almost certainly buy gasoline, eat lunch and perhaps even relocate to the area.

But beyond the monetary benefit, the project brought back to life a building that was in a horrible state of disrepair. It’s another success story for the Historic Natchez Foundation, who helped preserve Memorial Hall, the building now transformed into the courthouse, until a suitable new purpose for it could be found.

We’re excited to see such a beautiful building made more beautiful by its rejuvenation.

Believe it or not when Mississippi was in its infancy, Natchez was the only location in the state to house a federal courthouse.

Now it’s returned home again. And its impact will be felt long after the first judge’s gavel drops.