Reynolds County is named for Thomas Reynolds, who was the Governor of Missouri from 1840 to 1853.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Dent County and Iron County
E – Iron County and Wayne County
S – Carter County
W – Shannon County and Dent County
Created: February 25, 1845
County Seat:
Lesterville 1845 – 1865
Centerville 1865 – present
County Courthouse – Centerville
Location: NW – Green Street / Pine Street
Built: 1871 – 1872
Style: Federalist
Architect: John Johnston
Contractor: James B Barnes
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Centerville. The building has arched windows on the second story. The main entrance is on the east front. There is stone trim above the windows. The roof is hipped. The County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the Circuit Court of the 42nd Judicial Circuit. An addition has been added along the west side.
See: The 42nd Judicial Circuit includes Crawford County, Dent County, Iron County, Reynolds County and Wayne County.
History: The county was created in 1845 and Lesterville was selected as the county seat. The court met at the home of Joseph McNails until the first courthouse, a small log structure was built in 1846 to 1847. The courthouse was destroyed by fire in December 1863. The court met in private homes. The county seat was moved to Centerville in 1865 and the second courthouse, a small log and rough lumber structure was built in 1865. The courthouse burned on November 24, 1871. The third and present courthouse was a two story brick structure built at a cost of $8,000. As an addition, a two story frame building was purchased in the 1930’s for $600 and moved to the southwest corner of the square.
County Courthouse - Centerville
Photos taken 2009