Red Willow County is named for Red Willow Creek which is a mistranslation of the Dakota Native American name “Chan-shasha Wakpala” meaning “Red Dog Creek” after the shrub which was abundant along the creek.
Created: February 27, 1873
County Seat:
Indianola 1873 – 1896
McCook 1896 – present
County Courthouse – McCook
Location: 502 George Norris Avenue / East E Street
Built: 1926 – 1927
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Marcus L Evans of Hastings
Contractor: Fred Swanson of McCook
Description: The building faces east and is a two story buff colored Bedford limestone structure. The east front has a central entrance on the first story. Four large columns rise from the second story to the top of the third story with recessed windows. The first story has horizontal stonework. A wide cornice runs below the flat roof line. The building was remodeled in 1990. The architect was Lloyd Benjamin & Associates and the contractor was Carmichael Construction.
Note: The previous courthouse was designed by A M Leach and constructed in 1896. The building was demolished.
See: The architect, Marcus L Evans of Hastings, also designed the courthouse in Saline County.
See: The contractor, Fred Swanson of McCook, also constructed the courthouse in Saline County,
Courthouses:
N – Frontier County
E – Furnas County
S – Decatur County, Kansas and Rawlins County, Kansas
W – Hitchcock County
Photos taken 2010