Neosho County | US Courthouses

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. In the interior there is an entrance lobby on the west side. The County District Court courtroom is located on the southeast side of the building. 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 faces west and is a two story cream-yellow colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Chanute. The building has a raised rusticated limestone block raised foundation. The west front has a large stone trimmed arch with recessed entrance. The roof is hipped. In the interior, the entrance lobby is on the south side and rises two stories. On the north side is the County District Court courtroom. A wood staircase rises to the second story with the small County District Court courtroom along the north side. The building houses the County District Court of the 31st Judicial District – Chanute Division. The building was formerly the Carnegie Library and is now The Hudson Judicial Center.

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 and was constructed in 1905 to 1906