Name/Title
Atchison County Courthouse, Rockport, Missouri, 1883Entry/Object ID
2007.33.909ABDescription
Atchison County Courthouse, Rockport, Missouri, 1883. Designed by Eckel & Mann, Architects. Constructed 1882. See description below.
07.33.908A Exterior View, angle of front of building & its film negative. 2-story brick building with spire.
07.33.908B Exterior View, front of building, front door & tower, & its film negative
Also: Snapshots not given a letter designation:
2-Exterior front views similar to "A" with its film negative
1-Long view of Courthouse and grounds with its film negative.
From: University of Missouri Extension: Missouri Courthouses: Atchison County, (2002)
In the 1880s the (original) building was condemned and sold to John Dopf for $600.
Once again a fierce struggle ensued for the location of the seat of justice, as Tarkio offered to donate a new courthouse. But Tarkio's challenge was to no avail; the seat remained at Rock Port.
The members of the County Court visited neighboring Nodaway County to inspect its courthouse. Then they contacted architects Edmund J. Eckel and George R. Mann of St. Joseph to discuss a proposed courthouse for Atchison County. The court accepted the architects; plans on December 26, 1881, but then citizens rejected bond issues in January and March of 1882 in the amount of $40,000 for construction.
Determined to proceed, the court set aside $15,000 of the general revenue fund in May 1882. They appointed F. A. Foster superintendent and ordered the construction of the Eckel- and Mann-proposed design. Private subscriptions amounted to $10,000.
In June the court accepted the bid of R.K. Allen, who had built the Nodaway courthouse. The court rejected a lower bid because they questioned its validity. Cornerstone ceremonies were conducted October 19, 1882. The shell of the building was erected first, and the interior was finished as finances allowed. The court received the building May 9, 1883.
The imposing two-story brick building, 75 by 91 feet, sits on an elevated spot with spacious surrounding grounds and still serves as the Atchison County courthouse. The tall, square tower above the entry is no longer there. Decorative brick corbeling just below the eaves provides a transition from wall to roof. The steeply sloped mansard roofs and projecting dormer windows are covered with slate and metal roofing. Cresting originally crowned the roof line.
Bibliography
Books
•History of Holt and Atchison Counties. St. Joseph: National Historical Co., 1882.
Newspapers
•(Rock Port) Atchison County Journal, Aug. 30, 1879; Jan. 21, Feb. 4, 11, May 6, June 17, Aug. 5, Sept. 30, Oct. 21, Nov. 11, 1882; Feb. 10, 1883.
•(Rock Port) Atchison County Mail, Jan. 26, June 17, 1882.
Manuscript collections
•Work Projects Administration, Historical Records Survey, Missouri, 1935-1942. Atchison County. Located in Joint Collection: MU, Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia and State Historical Society of Missouri Manuscripts.
Maps
•Plat Book of Atchison County, Missouri. Minneapolis: Northwest Publishing Co., 1904.Collection
Eckel-BrunnerMade/Created
Date made
1883Place
City
RockportState/Province
MissouriNotes
Medium: Photographic PaperLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Architecture, CourthousesSearch Terms
Courthouse, Atchison County, Missouri, Out of Town, Eckel & Mann Architects, Municipal Buildings: County, Atchison County, Missouri, Atchison County Courthouse, Rock Port, MissouriDimensions
Dimension Notes
Printsize: 3 ½" x 5 ½"
SnapshotRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Edmond Jacques Eckel
