Payne County Courthouse - Stillwater, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 36° 06.910 W 097° 03.621
14S E 674571 N 3998464
Payne County Courthouse serves a county population of 81,000, and an area of 697 square miles.
Waymark Code: WMYYBY
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/10/2018
Views: 4
Payne County was one of the first counties established in Oklahoma Territory. Originally part of the Creek Nation, the area was settled by the Land Run of 1889. In 1890 Payne County was first named Sixth County, and later changed to Payne County after Boomer leader David L. Payne. Beginning as an agricultural community growing cotton, corn and wheat, the county had a population explosion after World War II, when the area formed an Industrial Foundation to encourage manufacturing and industry. Today, with a population of approximately 81,000, it is active, and forward moving. It is home to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and has a large tourism industry because of the many lakes.
The Payne County Courthouse is a three-story building with an attic level, designed by architects Hair, Tonini & Bramlet, and constructed in 1917. The ground level is rusticated stone, with the upper levels in red brick. The south elevation is the main entrance. This elevation is curved 20 ft. out from the building corners. The main entrance has double metal/glass doors, under a small stone pediment. Doors on the north and south walls are similar. On the curved facade, half-round Ionic pilasters separate the window bays. Windows are set in doubles, with one-over-one double hung sashes. Above the second level is a stone frieze reading "PAYNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE" and a modillioned cornice. The attic level has rectangular stone panels. The north and south elevations are similar with flat Ionic pilasters and five bays of windows on each level. An extension was added on the west in 1968. The courthouse was placed on the National Register in 1984.
The Courthouse houses the Payne County administrative offices and courts. The County Commissioners meet weekly on Mondays, and various other boards meet monthly throughout the year. It also offices the Payne County Sheriff Department.
