At first glance, no one would think that the castle-looking building in Carthage, Missouri is actually a courthouse. Built in 1894, this Romanesque Revival building serves as the seat of justice in the whole of Jasper County. The building was designed by chief architect Max Orlopp Jr., and made of locally quarried Carthage marble. The courthouse sits like a medieval castle in the city square. Its architectural features include arches, towers and turrets. Next to St. Louis Arch, this building is said to be the second-most photographed building in Missouri.
The courthouse is open for public guided tours. Guests can visit the museum inside. Other notable attractions includes the mural ?Forged in Fire? by Lowell Davis, and a functional, 1917-era cage-type elevator. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 8, 1973.
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