Phelps County Courthouse - Rolla, Missouri - Wikipedia Entries on Waymarking.com

County of courthouse: Phelps County
Location of courthouse: Main St. & 3rd St., Rolla
Built: 1859
Architect: P.J. Lynch & Andrew Malcolm

"The Phelps County Courthouse, Third and Main streets, Rolla, Phelps County, is located on Block 13 of a 50 acre parcel of land donated by Edmund Ward Bishop for the purpose of establishing a county seat. Constructed in 1860 in the prevailing Greek Revival style but not accepted as complete by the county until 1868, the courthouse remains relatively unaltered on three elevations. A series of additions, most notably in 1881, 1912, circa 1950, and, most recently, 1979, have concealed the west elevation and partly obscured the east elevation; the facade, or north elevation, and the south elevation, however, remain essentially unaltered and still convey many of the characteristics of the style, such as its bilateral symmetry, simple rectangular shape, low pitched roof, and pediment, and are clearly distinguished from later constructions. The original 1860, two-story, brick courthouse measured approximately forty-five feet by sixty-six feet. Subsequent additions varied in height from one story to three. The original building was altered to align with adjacent three-story additions by adding a wooden floor between the first and second stories; the first floor tin ceiling was preserved, however. Access to the additions was provided by enlarging existing* window openings, minimizing damage to the original building. Despite the alterations, the Phelps County Courthouse retains sufficient integrity of design, workmanship, materials, and association to convey its significance as the only permanent courthouse the county has ever had." ~ NRHP Nomination Form