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Linn County's first
courthouse, a hewn-log building, was built off the square in 1841.
It was a two-story, 36-by-20 foot, weather-boarded structure, with
oak shingles covering the roof. One center door with flanking
windows was in the narrow end of the building, which faced the
square. The court appropriated $400, and the final cost came to
$516.50. Contractors were David Jenkins and Goldsby Quinn (also
referred to as Goolsby Quine). By the time it was completed, the
original plan had been altered considerably.
In March 1846 the court appropriated
$4,000 and instructed Thomas Barbee to prepare plans for a new
courthouse to be in the center of the square. Contractor of the
brick, two-story building was Joseph (or James) L. Nelson, who built
the Daviess County courthouse in Gallatin. Nelson completed the
building in the fall of 1848 for $3,894.85.
In June 1857 the county paid $800 for
repairs; the building was extensively remodeled between 1865-1867.
In only 20 years Linn County spent almost $8,500 on repairing this
building. Even so, by 1879 the building was considered unsafe, and
the county offices moved out. Although the accounts are unclear,
repairs and remodeling once again must have kept at least part of
the structure in use, for Sanborn maps show a square, brick building
in the center of the square from 1894 to 1910 that measures about 40
feet square.
Early in the 20th century grand juries
repeatedly reported the courthouse in deplorable condition. Linn
County citizens presented a petition to the court calling for a new
courthouse. After receiving the petition, the County Court scheduled
an election for a $60,000 bond issue August 1, 1911. They timed the
election to coincide with the state-wide election to approve
appropriations for a new state capitol to replace the one destroyed
by fire February 5, 1911. County officials anticipated support for
the capitol and thought voters might be more inclined on that day to
approve the county bond issue. Election expenses also would be
reduced.
For two months before the election, the
newspaper publicized the issue, gathering support. Finally, after
weeks of anticipation, headlines in the Linneus Bulletin
announced the results: "Go Ring the Bells and Fire the
Guns." When the returns came in, the town went wild with
delight. Bells rang, whistles blew, cars honked and anvils roared;
bands, skyrockets and bonfires all demonstrated the enthusiasm in
the county.
The court appointed a Kansas City firm,
Rae Sanneman and R. W. Van Trump, to prepare plans. Together the
court and the architects visited Carroll, Daviess, Vernon, Johnson
and Grundy counties to examine recent projects. The preliminary
concept indicated a building with dark-red brick for the main walls,
trimmed with stone, but ultimately a gray brick replaced the red.
The court wanted no gingerbread or unnecessary trim; they did not
consider a dome because of the fire hazard and expense, but columns
flanked the entry, and a balustrade at the roof line added classical
details.
The building measured 55 by 80 feet.
Offices were on the first two floors; the Circuit Court room was on
the third. Ray and Son received the building contract in January
1913 for $56,000. Cornerstone ceremonies were conducted June 5,
1913. A year later the dedication took place. Final costs came to
about $60,000.
Copyright
2002 University of Missouri. Published by University
Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Recorder
of Deeds: Index
to deeds, 1836-1887; Deed records, 1837-1908; Warranty deeds,
1866-1890; Quitclaim deeds, 1875-1888; Sheriff’s deeds, 1876-1920;
Mortgage deeds, 1876-1882; Deeds of trust, 1866-1890; Marriage
records, 1857-1917; Register of marriages license register,
1881-1925.
Clerk
of the County Court: Permanent
record of births, 1822-1888 and 1907; Register of births and
stillbirths, 1883-1888; Permanent record of deaths, 1883-1887.
Clerk
of the Circuit Court: Index to
circuit court records, 1837-19??; Circuit court records, 1837-1887.
Clerk
of the Probate Court: Probate
records, 1849-1893; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds
and records, 1840-1897; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills,
1854-1864; Settlement records, 1854-1864; Will records, 1840-1917.
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