The History of Johnson County's Courthouses 1838-Present
Johnson County's First Courthouse 1838-1873
The First few courts held in this district were at the home of Bettie Alston of Spadra, but later the county site was established at Clarksville and the courthouse erected. The court room was on the lower floor and a portion of the upper level was used for the grand jury. Later two rooms were added and the West wing was used as the office for the clerk. In 1850, there was an order by the county judge that A.M. Ward, the county clerk, was appointed as a commissioner to rent the East wing for $25 per year. In 1855, after the rent expired, the county sheriff was given the privilege of taking charge of the room for his office. Property, real and personal, including enslaved persons were sold from the courthouse steps. This courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1872. Many of the records were salvaged and can be accessed at the Johnson County Historical Society.
Johnson County's Second Courthouse 1874-1935
Contracted work began February 1, 1873 and construction lasted until June 30, 1874. The cornerstone of the courthouse was removed in May 1935 to reveal a small metal box that contained a time capsule. Interesting objects inside were three old coins, three copies of newspapers, two tin type photographs, the court order, names of officials, names of contractors and names of workmen on the building. the coins were a Canadian half penny, a nickel dated 1862, a nickel dated 1869, with a large number "5" on one side and a shield on the other; and a dime on which the date could not be read. Two copies of the Clarksville Enterprise (dated May 31, 1873 and August 30, 1873) and the Little Rock Daily Republican, dated Monday morning September 1, 1873. the time capsule was placed in the current courthouse during construction.
Johnson County's Third Courthouse 1936-Present
The present Johnson County Courthouse was built in 1936. The cost of the building was $75,000, including 4 modern vaults and fireproofing. 30% ($22,500) of the cost was covered by the government grant. The new building is 93 x 70 feet. In 1990, Johnson County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current courthouse of Johnson County is one the modern end of style. Although it was built in 1936, it is the typical style of building that still exists in most towns across the nation that succumbs to renovations to keep up with ever changing technologies without having to perpetually build new buildings, which would prove to be quite costly. Offices are on the first floor of this courthouse, with courtrooms on the second along with offices for county and circuit judge.
About Johnson County
Johnson County is in the western section of Arkansas that ranges from 10-30 miles in width and 27 miles in length that equates to 700 square miles. Johnson County includes 5 towns: Clarksville, Lamar, Knoxville, Hartman, and Coal Hill. Johnson County was created and named after the first territorial Honorable Judge Benjamin Johnson on January 23, 1820 by President James Monroe. Johnson County had many first in the state. The first blind school was organized in Clarksville and the first deaf-mute school was here in 1850. The College of the Ozarks School of Pharmacy in 1946 was the first one in the state. Our first Spadra Creek Bridge was built in 1852. The first free delivery of rural mail in Arkansas began in Johnson County 1896. The first Educational Association organized in the state was organized in Clarksville, April 12, 1869, and was incorporated on February 23, 1881.
The Johnson County Historical Society objectives are to preserve the heritage of Johnson County and the history of the families who were instrumental in it’s shaping. Explore the Johnson County history and do research through the many books, original records and photographs available in the museum exhibit. This is a great place to go for genealogy research and projects. We invite you to share your Johnson County stories with us and ask any questions you have. We’ll try our best to help.
Did you know the Heritage Center Museum is financed only by donations and memorials? The museum cannot remain open without volunteers and financial support. Your help is vital and greatly appreciated. Johnson County Historical Society is a 501 © 3 non-profit and welcomes your tax-deductible donations.
479-754-3334
131 W Main St.
Clarksville, AR
Johnson County's First Courthouse 1838-1873
The First few courts held in this district were at the home of Bettie Alston of Spadra, but later the county site was established at Clarksville and the courthouse erected. The court room was on the lower floor and a portion of the upper level was used for the grand jury. Later two rooms were added and the West wing was used as the office for the clerk. In 1850, there was an order by the county judge that A.M. Ward, the county clerk, was appointed as a commissioner to rent the East wing for $25 per year. In 1855, after the rent expired, the county sheriff was given the privilege of taking charge of the room for his office. Property, real and personal, including enslaved persons were sold from the courthouse steps. This courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1872. Many of the records were salvaged and can be accessed at the Johnson County Historical Society.
Johnson County's Second Courthouse 1874-1935
Contracted work began February 1, 1873 and construction lasted until June 30, 1874. The cornerstone of the courthouse was removed in May 1935 to reveal a small metal box that contained a time capsule. Interesting objects inside were three old coins, three copies of newspapers, two tin type photographs, the court order, names of officials, names of contractors and names of workmen on the building. the coins were a Canadian half penny, a nickel dated 1862, a nickel dated 1869, with a large number "5" on one side and a shield on the other; and a dime on which the date could not be read. Two copies of the Clarksville Enterprise (dated May 31, 1873 and August 30, 1873) and the Little Rock Daily Republican, dated Monday morning September 1, 1873. the time capsule was placed in the current courthouse during construction.
Johnson County's Third Courthouse 1936-Present
The present Johnson County Courthouse was built in 1936. The cost of the building was $75,000, including 4 modern vaults and fireproofing. 30% ($22,500) of the cost was covered by the government grant. The new building is 93 x 70 feet. In 1990, Johnson County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current courthouse of Johnson County is one the modern end of style. Although it was built in 1936, it is the typical style of building that still exists in most towns across the nation that succumbs to renovations to keep up with ever changing technologies without having to perpetually build new buildings, which would prove to be quite costly. Offices are on the first floor of this courthouse, with courtrooms on the second along with offices for county and circuit judge.
About Johnson County
Johnson County is in the western section of Arkansas that ranges from 10-30 miles in width and 27 miles in length that equates to 700 square miles. Johnson County includes 5 towns: Clarksville, Lamar, Knoxville, Hartman, and Coal Hill. Johnson County was created and named after the first territorial Honorable Judge Benjamin Johnson on January 23, 1820 by President James Monroe. Johnson County had many first in the state. The first blind school was organized in Clarksville and the first deaf-mute school was here in 1850. The College of the Ozarks School of Pharmacy in 1946 was the first one in the state. Our first Spadra Creek Bridge was built in 1852. The first free delivery of rural mail in Arkansas began in Johnson County 1896. The first Educational Association organized in the state was organized in Clarksville, April 12, 1869, and was incorporated on February 23, 1881.
The Johnson County Historical Society objectives are to preserve the heritage of Johnson County and the history of the families who were instrumental in it’s shaping. Explore the Johnson County history and do research through the many books, original records and photographs available in the museum exhibit. This is a great place to go for genealogy research and projects. We invite you to share your Johnson County stories with us and ask any questions you have. We’ll try our best to help.
Did you know the Heritage Center Museum is financed only by donations and memorials? The museum cannot remain open without volunteers and financial support. Your help is vital and greatly appreciated. Johnson County Historical Society is a 501 © 3 non-profit and welcomes your tax-deductible donations.
479-754-3334
131 W Main St.
Clarksville, AR
