Callaway Then and Now

Callaway County Courthouse

When Callaway County was organized in 1820, Elizabeth served as the first county seat. No courthouse was built there, although the court did order a jail to be constructed. After the county seat moved to Fulton in 1825, three court–appointed commissioners were charged with preparing plans and a cost estimate for a courthouse. The initial appropriation of $550 increased to a final cost of about $1,300 by the time the two-story, 36 foot square brick building was completed in 1827.

In 1854, Commissioner George W. Braley submitted plans and a cost estimate for a new courthouse. They were approved in 1855, the existing courthouse was razed, and the new courthouse was completed in 1856 at a cost of $17, 850. The building was said to resemble the courthouse in St. Charles. Both were designed by architect Solomon Jenkins and were unique in having six, rather than the typical four, columns adorning the façade. The main entrance, topped by a large clock tower, faced west and overlooked Court Street. An 1885 renovation, designed and overseen by local architect M. F. Bell, added a mansard roof and reshaped the dome while preserving the clock tower. The building was torn down in 1938 to make way for the present courthouse.

As early as 1910, Callaway residents including the Business Men’s Association began discussing the need for a larger courthouse. Enthusiasm for the project grew rapidly in 1938 when the county learned that federal funding from the W.P. A. might be available. The W.P.A. provided 45% of the funding with the remaining 55% coming from a bond issue voted on locally. Total cost was about $227,000 (well over 4 million in today’s dollars!). Construction of the courthouse was completed in December 1939 and on March 18, 1940, a large crowd gathered to witness the dedication, presided over by State Senator W. B. Whitlow who introduced the speaker, then Senator Harry S. Truman.

Eight large medallions, two on each side between the first and second story windows, were selected to best represent the early history of Callaway County:

LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION - 1804
FRENCH ESTABLISH AT COTE SANS DESSEIN - 1808
DANIEL BOONE THROUGH CALLAWAY COUNTY - 1808
FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES CONDUCTED IN CALLAWAY - 1818
FIRST CIRCUIT COURT HELD IN CALLAWAY COUNTY - 1821
THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER - 1839
FIRST RAILROAD IN THE COUNTY - 1855
CIVIL WAR REACHES CALLAWAY - 1861

Also included on each upper corner are the last names of eight lawyers who distinguished themselves in forming, making, and upholding the law:

• HENRY (Patrick), distinguished Revolutionary War statesman and orator, who said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

• HOLMES (Oliver Wendell, Jr.), revered Supreme Court Associate who served from 1902 to his retirement at age 90 in 1932.

• CLAY (Henry), American statesman who is credited with helping the Union stay together for many years by negotiating compromises between the North and South. The statement, “I know no North - no South - no East - no West,” is on his grave stone.

• CALHOUN (John), Though initially a strong nationalist and Vice President, he later advocated the sectionalism of the South and resigned the Vice Presidency to uphold his Southern views.

• CHOATE (Joseph), represented the U.S. at the second Hague Peace Conference, the first world-wide attempt to settle quarrels an prevent war through peaceful meetings.

• MARSHALL (John), known as “The Great Chief Justice” of the Supreme Court, served as Chief Justice from 1801-1835 and played a major role in shaping the nation's understanding of constitutional law.

• TAFT (William Howard), served as President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

• WHITE (Edward Douglas), the first associate Supreme Court Justice to be appointed Chief Justice.

To accommodate the growing need for more courtroom space, construction of the Callaway County Justice Center began in 2021, and although it was open for the public on May 9, 2023, the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony took place May 31, 2023. This modern building became the new venue for the court, circuit clerk, prosecutor, and juvenile office. It is located two blocks downhill from the old courthouse, which will continue to house the County Recorder, Collector, and other offices and administrative staff.