Callaway County Courthouse - Fulton, MO - Art Deco - Art Nouveau on Waymarking.com

County of courthouse: Callaway County
Location of courthouse: 5th St. & Court St., & Market St., Fulton

"While less than 5 contributing buildings in the district were built after c. 1920, two of the buildings in the district show the influences of popular "modern" architectural design. The PWA funded courthouse, though traditional in many respects, has stylized features and bas relief carvings indicative of Art Deco design. ... " ~ NRHP Nomination Form, page 29

"48. 10 E. 5th Street, Callaway County Courthouse, 1938.
This two story brick and limestone building has a stylized temple front with tall flat entablature supported by four Doric pilasters. Brick wings with stone cornice lines and raised limestone foundation flank either side of the entrance. The cornice has bas-relief carvings depicting important events in county history. These carvings include: Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804), first homestead (1808), first church (1818), famous trail (1821), first publication or newspaper (1839), first railroad (1855), Civil War and founding of the "Kingdom of Callaway" (1861). [C]" ~ NRHP Nomination Form

"Callaway began earnestly considering a new courthouse in 1938 when they learned federal funds would be available. The court looked at courthouses in Pike, Marion and Knox counties and talked with representatives from many state firms before employing architects E. C. Henderson, Jr. and Paul Elsner, who prepared the plans for a three-story building with a jail. Bonds were voted for $125,000 in June 1938. Federal contribution was $102,273, and final figures ran close to $250,000. J. E. Hathman contracted and built the 134-by-80-foot, three-story, brick and stone structure, with the principal entrance facing north (Figure 3). The court accepted the completed building in December 1939. Dedication of the courthouse that still houses county officials took place March 18, 1940." ~ University of Missouri, Extension