Linn County Courthouse

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Linn County
Organized January 6, 1837, from Chariton County and named for Lewis F. Linn, United States senator

County Seat: Linneus

Address:

Linn County
County Courthouse
P.O. Box 151
Linneus, MO 64653

Photograph

History
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.

Additional History
Records at Courthouse

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.

More Links
Birth & Death Records Database

Search for Linn County on Archives' Online Catalog

Roll by Roll Listing of Microfilm

Local Records Inventory Database

Birth Register of Linn Co

Early Linn County Marriages 1838-1850 

Missouri Birth & Death Records Database: Search & Record Availability