County Seat: Greenfield

Address:

Dade County
County Courthouse
Greenfield, MO 65661

Dozier C. Gill built the second courthouse on the public square in 1850, a brick, two-story building that cost about $7,500. Transverse halls separated the first floor into four office rooms; the courtroom, with small adjoining rooms, occupied the second floor. The courthouse was destroyed in the Civil War, October 6, 1863.

The third courthouse, completed in December of 1868 by contractor Francis M. Wilson, was also a two-story brick building, costing about $10,000. The court appropriated the money in July 1867. An east-west hall divided the first floor into three offices on the north side and two on the south. The courtroom and jury rooms were on the second floor. A grand jury condemned the building in February 1925; it was razed the following August.

In 1921 a grand jury had reported the old courthouse in deplorable condition; they recommended a new one at that time and called for the court to select an architect and schedule an election. The court chose St. Louis architects Fred C. Bonsack and Harvey J. Pearce. Pearce brought plans of Franklin County to show the court. When he learned of the proposed budget, he offered to revise the plans for a smaller building and simplify the design to reduce cost. This modified version, of brick and stone, was presented to the voters, but the $100,000 bond figure recommended by the grand jury and the court met defeat at the polls January 31, 1922.

During the depression one of the state relief organizations encouraged Dade County to submit a courthouse proposal. The earlier Bonsack and Pearce plans were revived. An election was called for January 1934, and the presiding Judge again contacted the architects' firm. County residents first rejected an $85,000 figure, but subsequently indicated their support for the project by approving a $75,000 bond issue. County officials anticipated a supplement of $36,100 from the Work Projects Administration, but when approved by the federal government in July 1934, it was for $110,100, far above what they had expected. With this windfall the less expensive modified version of Franklin County was not necessary. Dade County's courthouse resembles the Franklin County Courthouse built in 1921-23.

The contract was let on October 11 to C. F. Rinehart, St. Louis, for $87,527. Greenfield stone was originally specified, but the local quarry was unable to comply, so Carthage stone was the alternate choice. Labor problems with stone cutters and imported skilled laborers caused delays, and the building was not completed until late in 1935. The three-story building, 70 by 70 feet, has the courtroom, which seats 250, on the third floor. Cornerstone day was March 29, 1935. The county offices moved into their new quarters in December 1935; the court formally accepted the completed building January 18, 1936. Approximate total expenditure came to about $135,000.

The Greenfield Vedette

From The Greenfield Vedette, December 4,1919

ANOTHER SCARE AT THE COURTHOUSE

Last Friday while C. C. Russell and John Roberts were sitting in the probate court room at the court house, one of the big panes in a window fell out without warning ker-clap, just like that. It is said the Uncle Lum and Uncle John showed real speed in their departure and had to be headed off on their way to the tall timber and assured that the rest of the building had not fallen. They insisted that they were not discussing the League of Nations or or any other subject likely to create enough air pressure to push the window out and say that they were not running because they were frightened but they were trying to catch Jim Brotherton, who also took alarm at the crash to tell him there was no danger.

Recorder of Deeds:  Index to Deeds, 1841-1890; Deed Records, 1841-1886; Marriage Records, 1863-1919; Register of Marriages, 1867-1871.

Clerk of the County Court:  Permanent Record of Births, 1883-1885; Register of Births and Stillbirths, 1883-1885; Permanent Record of Deaths, 1883-1885; Register of Deaths, 1883-1885.

Clerk of the Circuit Court:  Index to Circuit Court Records, 1846-1895; Circuit Court Records, 1846-1886.

Clerk of the Probate Court:  Index to Probate Records, 1841-1883; Probate Records, 1841-1886;  Appraisements, 1863-1891; Bonds, 1863-1886; Inventories, 1863-1893;  Letters of Administration, 1841-1912; Settlement Records, 1869-1895; Will Records, 1841-1922.

Birth & Death Records Database

Search for Dade County on Archives' Online Catalog

Roll by Roll Listing of Microfilm

Missouri Birth & Death Records Database: Search & Record Availability