Buchanan County is named for James Buchanan, who was a United States senator from Pennsylvania and President of the United States.
Created: December 31, 1838
County Seat:
Benton ( Sparta ) 1839 – 1846
St. Joseph 1846 – present
County Courthouse – St. Joseph
Location: 411 Jules Street / North 4th Street
Built: 1873 – 1876
Style: Renaissance
Architect: P F Meagher
Contractor: John DeClue
Description: The building faces south and is a three story red colored brick and stone structure. The building forms s Greek cross measuring 235 feet by 205 feet. The south portico projects from the main building with four large columns rising to the top of the second story with a pediment above at the roof line. There are similar porticos on the east and west sides. In the center of the building is 40 foot circumference dome. The building was rebuilt in 1885 after a fire with R K Allen as architect. There was an extensive restoration in 1979. On the north side of the courthouse is the modern Sheriff Office and Police Headquarters which faces south.
Note: The first courthouse was designed by George W Nixon and William Fowler and was built by Guilford Moultray in Sparta in 1841.
Courthouses:
N – Andrew County
E – DeKalb County and Clinton County
S – Platte County
W – Atchison County, Kansas and Doniphan County, Kansas
Photos taken 2008