Scott County is named for John Guier Scott, who was a United States Representative from Missouri.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
E – Alexander County, Illinois
S – Mississippi County and New Madrid County
W – Stoddart County
Created: December 28, 1821 
County Seat:
Benton 1822 – 1863
Commerce 1863 – 1878
Benton 1878 – present
County Courthouse – Benton
Location: 131 South Winchester Street / Twappity Street
Built: 1911 – 1913
Style: Beaux Arts and Federalist
Architect: Henry H Hohenschild
Contractor: J W McCarthy of McCarty Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Benton and is “T” shaped. The east front has three rectangular entrance on the first story. Above are six white colored columns which rise to a wide header at the top of the third story with recessed windows behind. The north and south wings are lower. The building has terra cotta trim. In the interior, a large lobby allows access to hallways to each wing and a broad staircase leading to the court anteroom and upper floors. The primary public spaces, entrance lobby and hallways, have marble floors, plaster walls and high ceilings. Simple, wide wood moldings surround the doors and transoms. The most ornate space is the courtroom that has classical detailing on the woodwork and judge’s bench. The large courtroom has two story ceilings and a balcony for a visitor’s gallery. Woodwork over the doors and windows resembles classical entablatures with projecting cornice, plain freeze, and simple architrave. The focal point of the courtroom is a recessed alcove containing the judge’s bench. Surrounding the alcove are faux marble painted pilasters between which is a wide arch supported by decorative brackets. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 33rd Judicial Circuit.
See: The architect, Henry H Hohenschild, also designed courthouses in Barry County, Christian County, Osage County, Pemiscot County, Pike County, Pulaski County and Washington County.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Scott County Courthouse
County Judicial Building – Benton
Location: 131 New Madrid Street / Twappity Street
Built: 1977 -1978
Style: Modern
Architect: Waters & Associates
Contractor: Bridger Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a one story light red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located in the center of Benton on the west side of the courthouse. The east front has a recessed center section with four narrow columns rising to a wide header. The roof line is flat. The building is located on the west side of the courthouse.
See: The 33rd Judicial Circuit includes Mississippi County and Scott County
History: The county was created in 1821 and Benton was selected as the county seat in 1822. The first courthouse was a log structure built in 1820 and became the courthouse in 1822. The courthouse was razed and the second courthouse was a brick structure built in 1844. The third courthouse was a frame structure built in 1855. The county seat was moved to Commerce in 1863 during the Civil War. The fourth courthouse was a two story brick structure built in 1863. The county seat was moved back to Benton in 1878 and the fifth courthouse was a two story brick structure built in 1883. The courthouse was demolished in 1912. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 1911 to 1913 at a cost between $100,000 and $140,000. The County Justice Center was constructed in 1977 to 1978.
County Courthouse – Benton
County Judicial Building – Benton
Photos taken 2009