Lexington in Lafayette County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lafayette County Courthouse

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 29, 2015

1. Lafayette County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Begun in 1847, the county's third courthouse is the oldest remaining in use in Missouri. The early portion, with its columned portico, remains unchanged except for modern lighting, heating and office equipment. The office wing on the east side, was begun in 1854 as a one-story building. Afterwards, a second story was added. In 1939 it was connected to the main courthouse, providing new vaults and offices. During the Battle of Lexington, Sept. 18-20, 1861, a cannon ball struck the east column and remains in place. The cupola was part of the original construction but the clock was installed in 1886 by Lexington citizens.

Erected by Lafayette County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 39° 11.122′ N, 93° 52.962′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Missouri, in Lafayette County. It is on Main Street west of 11th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Main Street, Lexington MO 64067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wentworth World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Lexington

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of Russell, Majors and Waddell Home Office (within shouting distance of this marker); General Price's Headquarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexander Mitchell & Company Bank (about 600 feet away); Fifth Branch Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Steamboat Saluda Disaster (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . . Historic American Buildings Survey record for the Lafayette County Courthouse. (Submitted on November 10, 2015.)

Lafayette County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 29, 2015

2. Lafayette County Courthouse

Cannon Ball That Struck Lafayette County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 29, 2015

3. Cannon Ball That Struck Lafayette County Courthouse

VIEW FROM NORTH - Lafayette County Courthouse, Lexington, Lafayette County, MO image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester Jones, July 5, 1940

4. VIEW FROM NORTH - Lafayette County Courthouse, Lexington, Lafayette County, MO

Photograph courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Cannonball in Lafayette County Courthouse Column image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 11, 2015

5. Cannonball in Lafayette County Courthouse Column

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 839 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on November 10, 2015, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on November 10, 2015. 5. submitted on November 24, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.