Crawford County Courthouse

Crawford County Courthouse

By: Jorja Conaway and Morgan Bergner

    In 1834 the lines of Crawford County were redrawn to the size the county is today. The first Crawford County Courthouse, after the county size was reduced, was built by Levi L. Snelson in 1834. It was just nine miles west of Steelville, MO. Today, it is called the Snelson-Brinker House, “a cabin near the banks of the Meramec River and about a mile from Meramec Springs.”1 It was used as Crawford County’s courthouse for the August term, starting in 1835, after that it was sold to John Brinker. “While he [Brinker] lived there his daughter drowned in the spring by their maid.”2 Shortly after the Brinker tragedy the cabin was sold to Esco Houston. Later, two rooms were added, and it was used as a cafe and roadside inn for sixty years.

    The second courthouse was also a log cabin, built in 1837, on the land sold to the Crawford County Court by James Steel. This courthouse was used for 20 years in Steelville, MO. They then destroyed it in 1857. Within the same year the third courthouse was built in the same place, at the cost of $6,000. “It was two stories high, with stone foundation, 56 X 48 feet in dimensions.”3 This one was used until February 15, 1873, when it was destroyed in a fire. This one had lasted sixteen years. “In March 1873 the County Court appropriated $10,000 for rebuilding the next Courthouse.”3 This one, number four, burned down as well, the night of January 5,1884, having lasted 11 years.

    The fifth structure used as an official courthouse in the county we know today, still stands.  It was built in 1885. This courthouse has had many additions added to it, while some parts were taken away. The present courthouse has lasted through many years and many hardships. It survived the Great Flood of Steelville in 1898. It had also survived the Steelville fire of 1904. This courthouse has lasted over 130 years and hopefully many more.

Works Cited

1. “Crawford County Courthouse.” University of Missouri Extension, Marian M Ohman, Community Development Publications, extension2.missouri.edu/ued6027.
2. “History of Crawford County Courthouses”, Contributed by: Kimberley A. Cook, Crawford County Recorder of Deeds, Page 2.
3. “History of Crawford County Courthouses”, Contributed by: Kimberley A. Cook, Crawford County Recorder of Deeds, Page 3.