Miami County is named for the Miami Native American Indian tribe who resided in the region.
Created: June 3, 1861
County Seat:
Paola 1861 – present
County Courthouse – Paola
Location: 120 South Pearl Street / West Shawnee Street
Built: 1897 – 1899
Style: Romanesque Revival
Architect: George P Washburn & Sons of Ottawa
Contractor: L W Divelbis of Olathe
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick and stone structure. The east front has a porch on the first story supported by four square brick pillars. On the second story is a large arched window. On the southeast corner rises a four story square red brick clock tower with steep roof. The other corners have smaller towers with steep roofs. The center section on each side has a peaked roof. The base is white stone.
Note: The contract was let to L W Divelbis of Olathe, but he did not fulfill the terms of the contract and was relieved of the work. The commissioners decided to supervise the finishing of the building. The cost amounted to an amount under $90,000.
Note: The architect, George P Washburn & Sons, designed courthouses in Anderson County, Atchison County, Butler County, Chautaugua County, Doniphan County, Franklin County, Harper County, Kingman County, Pratt County and Woodson County and Beaver County in Oklahoma.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Miami County Courthouse
County Administration – Paola
Location: 121 South Pearl Street / East Shawnee Street
Built: 1997 – 1998
Style: Modern
Architect: Pettijohn – Kinney
Contractor: National Construction
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The west front has a large square tower with the north section extending west to the street line.
Courthouses:
N – Johnson County
E – Cass County, Missouri and Bates County, Missouri
S – Linn County
W – Franklin County
Photos taken 2009