Morris County is named for Thomas Morris, who was a former United States Senator from Ohio who was an opponent of slavery.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Geary County
E – Wabaunsee County and Lyon County
S – Chase County and Marion County
W – Marion County and Dickinson County
Created: February 11, 1859 
County Seat:
Council Grove 1859 – present
County Courthouse – Council Grove
Location: 501 West Main Street / South Rockhill Street
Built: 1968 – 1969
Style: Modern
Architect: Kiene & Bradley Partnership of Topeka
Contractor: Bradley Building Company of Kansas Inc.
Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story brown colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Council Grove. The northwest front is one story at ground level with a large concrete overhang at the main central entrance. On the southeast side the hill falls away to two stories with a projecting concrete overhangs from the flat roof line. The windows are narrow and vertical. In the interior, the hallways run northeast to southwest. The County District Court courtroom is located on the northwest side of the second story near the main central entrance. The building houses the County District Court of the 8th Judicial District.
See: The architect, Kiene & Bradley Architects of Topeka, designed courthouses in Coffey County, Greeley County, Jefferson County, Logan County, Neosho County and Wilson County.
See: The 8th Judicial District includes Dickinson County, Geary County and Marion County.
History: The county was created in 1859 and Council Grove was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a log cabin built by S M Hays in Council Grove 1847 and used in 1859 as a courthouse. The second courthouse was erected in 1873 with an addition was designed by W C Squires and built in 1902. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1968 to 1969.
County Courthouse – Council Grove
County District Court courtroom
Picture 1873 County Courthouse
Picture 1902 enlarged County Courthouse
Photos taken 2009 and 2023