Neosho County is named for the Neosho River which name is derived from the Osage Indian word “ne-o-sho” or “ne-u-zhu” meaning “clear water”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Allen County
E – Bourbon County and Crawford County
S – Labette County
W – Wilson County
Created: June 3, 1861 
County Seat:
Erie 1864 – 1868
Osage Mission 1868 – 1874
Erie 1874 – present
County Courthouse – Erie
Location: 100 South Main Street / East 1st Street
Built: 1961 – 1962
Style: Modern
Architect: Kiene & Bradley Architects of Topeka
Contractor: Deill Construction Company.
Description: The building faces west and is a one story cream colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Erie. The building is “L” shaped with a west wing and south wing. The west front has a high peaked section towards the south end of the building, with six pillars supporting an overhang with glass entrance. The section to the north has narrow vertical windows. There is another entrance on the north side. The roof line is mostly flat. The building houses the County District Court of the 31st Judicial District – Erie Division.
See: The architect, Kiene & Bradley Architects of Topeka, designed courthouses in Coffey County, Greeley County, Jefferson County, Logan County, Morris County and Wilson County.
County Judicial Building – Chanute
Location: 102 South Lincoln Avenue / East 1st Street
Built: 1905 – 1906
Style: Prairie
Architect: A T Simmons of Bloomington, Illinois
Contractor: C H Mills
Description: The building is a two story cream colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Chanute. The west front has a large stone trimmed arch with recessed entrance. The rectangular shaped building sits on a rusticated limestone block raised foundation. The roof is hipped. The building was formerly the Carnegie Library and is now the County Judicial Building.
See: The 31st Judicial District includes Allen County, Wilson County and Woodson County.
History: The county was created in 1861 and Erie was selected as the county seat in 1868. The county seat was transferred to Osage Mission until it returned to Erie in 1874. The first courthouse was erected shortly after. The second courthouse was designed by George P Washburn & Son and constructed by Dannelly & Halfin in 1904. The building was demolished after the third and present courthouse was constructed in 1961 to 1962. The County Judicial Building is located in Chanute.
County Courthouse – Erie
Picture 1904 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2009