The First Mayor & Third Courthouse

The First Mayor and Third Courthouse. . , William Robinson, Papillion's First Mayor , William Robinson was born on May 16, 1820, in Morris County, New Jersey. He made his way to Bellevue, Nebraska in 1857 and opened a real estate and loan business. Robinson moved to Papillion in 1860 to expand his business. While working in the real estate and loan industry, Robinson served as a county commissioner and county clerk. , Robinson was elected Papillion's first Mayor in 1883. Serving alongside Mayor Robinson were trustees Augustus W. Clarke, James E. Campbell, Absalom W. Critchfield, and William Sander. , Robinson died on August 24, 1905, at the age of 85. , Third County Courthouse , The $150,000 bond issue vote that was approved on September 12, 1921 led to a celebration on July 4, 1922, which included laying of the cornerstone at the new Sarpy County courthouse. This neo-classical structure was described by the locals as "moderately plain but dignified." , It was one of 10 courthouses designed by Omaha architect William F. Gernandt between the years of 1910 and 1923. This building served as the county courthouse until a new courthouse opened on July 8, 1974, at 1210 Golden Gate Drive (near Highway 370 and 84th Street). Sarpy's fourth courthouse was dedicated on May 4, 1975. , The City of Papillion purchased Sarpy's third courthouse in 1974 for $95,000. Included were 1.17 acres of land and the 11,423 square-foot, three-story brick building. The City's renovation costs came to approximately $133,000, mostly in the interior. The building's exterior has had only minor renovations throughout the years. The old county jail still resides on the fourth floor , albeit not in use. The library was housed in the third floor of the building from 1976 until 1996 when it moved across the street to the building where it still is today , Sump Memorial Library.