| Marion County | |
| Organized December
23, 1826, from Ralls County and named for Francis Marion, Revolutionary
War hero.
County Seat: Palmyra Address: Marion
County |
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| Photograph | |
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Courthouse in Hannibal
Courthouse in Palmyra |
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| History | |
| Marion County officials first met
in homes, then, in 1828 considered building their first courthouse. But
title to the chosen site did not appear clear, so County Court judges
postponed plans.
In 1830 planning resumed, and Samuel C. Reed, appointed as superintendent, submitted a plan for a two-story, brick building with a hipped roof and cupola, with bell to call court. The court contracted with John D. White, of Ralls County, for brick work. Changes in the plan raised the cost to $1,750. White's work was received by the court in February 1832. Finishing work delayed the date of completion until February 1835. The courthouse stood on the east side of the public square, facing east. It was demolished in January 1853 in preparation for the next courthouse. Marion's second courthouse, which used bricks from the first, was designed by Charles Levis from Paris, Missouri. The county used this courthouse until razing it in 1900 to clear the site for the present courthouse in Palmyra. The original plans called for a temple front, but the porch was never built, although the foundation was laid. The county gave the building contract to the firm of Felps and McLeod for $15,750 on December 19, 1853. Construction progressed rapidly enough that the court occupied the building in March 1855. The ball from the top of this courthouse is a monument on the grounds of the present courthouse. By the turn of the century, Marion County considered building a new courthouse. A Court of Common Pleas had been established at Hannibal in 1844 to handle maritime services, then broadened in 1845 to include probate matters, and in 1847 expanded further to receive misdemeanors, felonies and appeals from the City Court. Marion County used a converted church as a courthouse in Hannibal. At one time the county considered repairing the Palmyra building and constructing a new one in Hannibal. Eventually, county residents resolved the problem by voting January 25, 1900, to build a new courthouse in each town for $50,000. Eight or 10 architects competed for the right to draw plans for the courthouse in Palmyra. There were three finalists: Jerome B. Legg, St. Louis, architect of several Missouri courthouses; George Behrensmeyer, Quincy, Illinois; and William N. Bowman, Grand Rapids, Michigan. First, the court gave the commission to Behrensmeyer, but apparently he could not provide the court with an acceptable plan and was asked to withdraw. Next, the court adopted the plans of Bowman. Trouble came again when Bowman left the Michigan firm with which he had been associated; the firm claimed the right to the plan, but Bowman contested their position. Palmyra proceeded with Bowman and his original plan. Initially designed for red brick, dark gray brick was substituted. The courthouse measures 113 by 79 feet. The court awarded the building contract to F. W. Menke Stone and Lime Company, Quincy, Illinois, on July 2, 1900, for $41,600. Cornerstone ceremonies were conducted October 25, 1900, and the building was completed and accepted by the court August 3, 1901. The central tower, the round, arched, recessed entries and the Romanesque details characterize the most popular courthouse design at the end of the 19th century. The Hannibal project did not encounter such a problem with the architect, James Hogg, formerly a resident of Hannibal, but practicing in Kansas City. Hogg's design for a porticoed building with classical details is one of only two built in Missouri at the turn of the century; the other is in Columbia, Boone County. Menke also received the bid for building this courthouse June 18, 1900. Built with stone facade and brick sides and back, the building measures 124 by 80 feet. Costs came to about $43,500. The court accepted the completed building July 12, 1901 Copyright 2002 University of Missouri. Published by University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia. |
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| Additional History | |
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Articles in Hannibal Courier Post Newspaper
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| Records at Courthouse | |
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Recorder of Deeds: Index
to deeds, 1827-1898; Deed records, 1827-1890; Warranty deeds, 1868-1902;
Quitclaim deeds, 1871-1881; Deeds of trust, 1871-1898; Marriage records,
1827-1888. Clerk of the County
Court: Register of births and stillbirths, 1883-1889 and 1927-1930;
Register of deaths, 1883-1889 and 1927-1930. Clerk of the
Circuit Court: Circuit court records, 1827-1890. Clerk of the Probate Court: Probate records, 1827-1888; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1827-1884; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1855-1870; Settlement records, 1845-1860; Will records, 1827-1919. |
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| More Links | |
| Birth
& Death Records Database Search
for Marion County on Archives'
Online Catalog Roll
by Roll Listing of Microfilm Missouri Birth & Death Records Database: Search & Record Availability Marriage Records 1827-1850 [Chronological List] [Groom List] [Bride List] Marriage Records 1851-1865[Groom List][Bride List] |
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