With the 100 mph straight-line winds that damaged the tops of buildings on the square in Carthage on Monday, we were reminded of how lucky the citizens of Jasper County are to still have our beautiful courthouse located on the square. 

Jasper County’s first courthouse was a one-story building built in 1842 on the north side of the Carthage square. By 1854 this structure was replaced by a two-story brick building that was used until it was destroyed in 1863 during the Civil War.  For the next 30 years, the court was moved to various locations while the county recovered from the devastating effects of the war. 

Finally, in 1891, officials tried to begin the project of building two courthouses. One, a joint Carthage-Jasper County project costing $100,000, and the other, a special $20,000 one at Joplin for holding Circuit Court. This didn’t happen because Webb City residents challenged the election based on a technicality in the voting procedure. The disagreement ended in the Supreme Court, which decided the issue be resubmitted to the people. In May 1893, the tax funding for the building received an affirmative vote.

The $100,000 costs were shared equally by the city of Carthage and Jasper County, with the city being granted the use of not less than four rooms. M. A. Orlopp was selected as the architect, and the building would be constructed of native Carthage stone in the Richardsonian Romanesque design. The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 21, 1894, and the building was dedicated on Oct. 9, 1895.

An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people attended the dedication, most traveling on street cars from Webb City, Carterville and Joplin. A parade around the square was held at 2 p.m., including Grand Marshall J. W. Halliburton, the Twin Cities band, school children and their teachers, numerous floats, citizens in their carriages and many other participants.  After the parade there was band music at each of the four entrances to the courthouse.  Mayor E. D. Porter of Joplin presided over the festivities at the north entrance, Mayor J. J. Funk of Webb City was at the west entrance, Mayor W. A. Dumbauld of Carterville was at the east entrance, Mayor Jacobs of Carthage presided over the south entrance in the place of the Sarcoxie mayor who could not attend.