1901 –Bates County Courthouse – Butler, Missouri - Dated Buildings and Cornerstones on Waymarking.com

"The Bates County Courthouse, 1 North Delaware Street, is located on the courthouse square in downtown Butler, Missouri. It was designed by George E. McDonald of Lincoln, Nebraska, and was completed in 1902. The 2 1/2-story, plus raised basement, Richardsonian Romanesque-style building is constructed of natural faced Carthage limestone. It features a central tower and four corner pavilions, all with ogee-shaped roofs. Both the north and south facades feature central pavilions with low pediments and elaborate recessed entrances. The east and west facades have stepped gables with less elaborate entrances to the first floor and into the raised basement. A clock is in each side of the tower. The plan is rectangular with slightly projecting corners and central salients. The building's exterior generally retains integrity although the tower was simplified below its ogee roof and sided with gold-colored material in 1974. For energy efficiency, the original wood sash windows have been replaced with metal frame windows in their original openings, and entrances have been similarly treated. The square, a Shelbyville type, contains one contributing and two noncontributing objects. The contributing object, a Doughboy statue erected in 1927 in memory of the county's World War I veterans, is on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn. On the east side of the square, a marker honoring the county's veterans and a gazebo are nonhistoric and are counted as noncontributing, but they are typical objects found on courthouse squares throughout Missouri...

Because of its central role in Bates County history, the Bates County Courthouse reflects events that have shaped the lives of its citizens. The rivalry between communities for the coveted county seat, the changing role of the county court in local government, and the use of a building's appearance as a way of emphasizing the importance of law and local government all come into play. In addition, the Bates County Courthouse is an impressive example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style that dominated Missouri courthouse architecture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and more specifically it is a good and well-preserved local example of George E. McDonald's courthouse architecture in Missouri." – National Register nomination

The building is in excellent condition and continues to serve as the county courthouse. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Year of construction: 1901 Cross-listed waymark: [Web Link] Full inscription: Butler Lodge No. 254 A. F. & A. M. Oct. 10 A. D. 1901. A. L. 5901.

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