Old Courthouse

Old Courthouse. The Old Courthouse is a historic former courthouse located in St. Louis, Missouri. Constructed in the mid-19th century, it is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture and served as the seat of the St. Louis County courts for over a century. It is most famously associated with pivotal events in American history, including the Dred Scott case, and is now preserved as part of the Gateway Arch National Park.

History

The site for the courthouse was designated in 1816 by Judge John B.C. Lucas, and the original structure, a simple brick building, was completed in 1828. As St. Louis grew rapidly, a grander building was needed, leading to a major expansion designed by architects Henry Singleton and William Rumbold beginning in 1839. Construction proceeded in phases over two decades, with the iconic cast-iron dome, inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, completed in 1862. The building functioned as a center of civic life, hosting political rallies, including speeches by Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, and public events. It ceased regular judicial functions after the construction of the Civil Courts Building in 1930 and was transferred to the National Park Service in 1940.

Architecture

The Old Courthouse is a masterwork of Greek Revival architecture, a style popular in the United States during the antebellum period. Its most striking feature is the massive cast-iron dome, one of the first of its kind in the country, which rises 192 feet above the ground. The exterior is characterized by a rusticated stone ground floor and a colonnade of Corinthian columns. The interior features a grand central rotunda beneath the dome, with ornate murals depicting the history of St. Louis painted by Carl Wimar and later artists. The building's design influenced other prominent structures, including the United States Capitol dome in Washington, D.C..

Notable trials

The courthouse is indelibly linked to the landmark Dred Scott case, initially heard here in 1847 and again on appeal in 1850. Dred Scott and his wife Harriet Robinson Scott sued for their freedom, leading to a United States Supreme Court decision in 1857 that inflamed national tensions over slavery. Other significant proceedings included the trial of Virginia Minor, a suffragist who argued for women's voting rights under the Fourteenth Amendment in 1872. The court also heard cases related to western expansion, disputes over steamboat commerce on the Mississippi River, and litigation following the Great Fire of 1849.

Preservation and museum

After its closure as an active courthouse, the building was preserved through the efforts of local citizens and the United States Department of the Interior. It became a key component of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, now Gateway Arch National Park. Meticulously restored, it operates as a museum administered by the National Park Service. Exhibits interpret the history of the Dred Scott case, the construction of St. Louis, and the role of the courthouse in 19th century America. The restored courtrooms, including the one where the Scott cases were heard, are open to the public, and the building remains a venue for educational programs and civic events.

In popular culture

The Old Courthouse has been featured in several films and television productions, often serving as a period setting. It appeared in the 1957 movie *The Spirit of St. Louis*, starring James Stewart as Charles Lindbergh. The building's imposing dome and rotunda have made it a recognizable landmark in media related to the American Civil War and westward expansion. It is frequently depicted in historical documentaries about the Dred Scott case and is a central visual symbol in materials promoting the Gateway Arch and the history of St. Louis.

Category:National Historic Landmarks in Missouri Category:Courthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri Category:Greek Revival architecture in Missouri Category:Museums in St. Louis Category:National Park Service areas in Missouri