1898 - Miami County Courthouse - Paola, Kansas - Dated Buildings and Cornerstones on Waymarking.com

The Miami County Courthouse at Paola was constructed in 1897-1899 from plans drawn by George P. Washburn of Ottawa, Kansas. Land was purchased for the courthouse site by the county commissioners on April 27, 1897, from M.A. Schroeder for $4100. The contract for building the courthouse was let in September 1897, to L.W. Divelbiss of Olathe, who built a number of Kansas courthouses. By the terms of the contract the new courthouse was to be ready by October 1, 1899.

The cornerstone was laid Wednesday, July 27, 1898, during a day long celebration that attracted a crowd of 8000 to Paola.

On February 1 & 2, 1899, the county commissioners heard from architect Washburn that the contractor, L.W. Divelbiss, was not fulfilling terms of the contract. The commissioners then took steps to relieve him of the work and decided to supervise the finishing projects at the courthouse themselves. County official apparently moved into the new facility in April, 1899. Cost of the structure is variously given at from $45000 to $90000.

The Miami County Courthouse is regarded as one of the most outstanding works of George P. Washburn, who was one of the best known 19th century Kansas architects. Courthouses were one of Washburn's specialities, and his symmetrical courthouse designs gave unique character to 13 Kansas county seat towns.

The clock tower was a later addition.

The Courthouse is 71 feet wide by 101 feet long on a foundation of Carthage limestone that extends 5 feet above ground. The floor plan, then, becomes a square with a brick tower at each corner. Entry is made at either the east or (now closed) west end of the building.

- National Register Application

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