Late on a Friday with cranes lifting something to or from the roof, the Jasper County Courthouse in…read moreCarthage still manages to dominate the entire square just by existing. Even with the grounds fenced off, the street level view is more than enough because this place is massive and unapologetically ornate. Completed in 1895, it was designed by architect Max A Orlopp Jr in a Richardsonian Romanesque style, all rough-faced Carthage limestone, heavy arches and that towering clock tower that looks like it was meant to be seen from miles away. Jasper County was formed in 1841 and named for Sergeant William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero, and Carthage has always been the county seat. The city itself takes its name from the ancient North African city of Carthage, part of that nineteenth century trend of giving frontier towns grand classical names. Even with construction equipment rumbling around, the courthouse still feels like the kind of building you stop for, whether you planned to or not. The carved stonework, the turrets, the arches, the sheer scale of the thing all hit you at street level without having the need to wander the lawn. It's one of those courthouses that looks less like a government building and more like a fortress crossed with a cathedral, and even on a disrupted Friday evening, it's easy to see why people consider it to be one of Missouri's most impressive county courthouses. [Review 856 of 2026 - 562 in Missouri - 26037 overall]

This is an AMAZING "old school" Courthouse with lovely ornate block work…read more Inside are a few offices and a treasure trove of historic artifacts; a harbor mine, bell, photos, geodes and Route 66 memorabilia. I read in several books that this particular courthouse is one of the most photographed in the USA, understandably so since it is so lovely.

How nerdy am I to review a government office? Beyond nerdy…read more All the employees here (records, property records office) are so helpful. I had a genealogic research question, sent an email expecting to get a response asking for money up front and a letter of my question. Not only did I get a prompt email response, my request was transferred to the correct office and I got more information than I asked for! Truly great public servants.

Judge Lanardo could not be any more professional and easy to talk to. Very fair and a wonderful…read moreasset to the city.

So far NOT impressed. Took time from work to take care of business. Was supposed to start at 1:30…read moreand it's 1:52 and nothing. Not even an, "I'm sorry we are running g a little late today."

Court sucks!!!!!! Y can't they make a firm schedule?????? Answer me this, why don't they check…read moreeveryone at the metal detector??? Oh probably because no one that works for the government would do anything "postal"! I sat there for over an hour waiting to finally go into the clerks office and found out the charges against my daughter had been dropped. OK if you serve me with papers and it is dropped why cant you let me know!!