Farmington

Courthouse

The first courthouse was frame, built in 1823, of the local Missouri vernacular "four square" style, popular in the state from 1820 to 1860. The 'four square" style was a square, 2 story building, usually 40 to 50 ft. on a side, with regularly spaced windows and a main central hall with 2, 3 or 4 entrances. The second courthouse was brick, built along the lines of the Ironton Courthouse, and was in use from 1848 to 1885. The third courthouse was built in 1885, and continued in use until 1925. The 4th courthouse, begun in 1925 and finished in 1927, was designed by Norman B. Howard, architect, and his assistant M. C. Finley. It is of Roman Corinthian style, of Carthage and Gray Bedford limestone. It has four entrances so all business on the courthouse square face an official entrance.

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County Jail and Sheriff's House

The old county jail was built in 1871, and enlarged in 1909, and only replaced as one of the oldest operating jails in the state in 1996. (It is scheduled to be developed into a City of Farmington historical museum.) The basement and ground floor of the original building are constructed of limestone, and the second floor has red brick walls. The gable roof has prominent cornice returns, and round windows are set high in each gable end. All windows are toped with segmental arches of limestone, with limestone sills, on the original building. The addition has segmental brick arches similar to the original limestone in size and shape.

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Brick Ornamenatation

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