[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16222]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  GREENE COUNTY COURTHOUSE CENTENNIAL

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor an important 
historical date in Greene County, MO, my home county. October 26 was 
the centennial of the historic Greene County Courthouse--the place 
where I worked for more than a decade as county clerk.
  The current Greene County Courthouse is actually the third built in 
Greene County. The 20th century courthouse was intended to be a 
unifying structure for what had developed as two communities prior to 
the Civil War. Both communities came under one municipal government in 
1887, and the new courthouse was to be a structure built between North 
Springfield and the central business district. Work to find a site was 
begun in 1904 and concluded with the purchase of a lot on Central 
Avenue in 1908.
  Architect A.N. Torbitt, of Miller, Opel and Torbitt in Jefferson 
City, MO, was chosen to draft plans for the new structure, and the 
cornerstone ceremony for the new courthouse was held on July 16, 1910. 
The impressive new building, built of Greene County Phoenix stone, took 
nearly 2 years to complete. In March 1912, the courts moved into the 
new building. Even Springfield's city hall took up residence there, 
where it remained for more than 25 years until its move into the post 
office a block away.
  The historic Greene County Courthouse was and remains important to 
the economic growth, development and prosperity of Springfield and 
Greene County. Over the years, the courts expanded to an additional 
judicial center nearby, but the old courthouse remains the center of 
Greene County administrative duties. Today, it is occupied by the 
Greene County commissioner, clerk, recorder of deeds, treasurer, 
assessor and collector of revenues.
  Today, the interior of the 100-year-old courthouse is in great shape, 
and plans are underway to raise funds to replace the parapet. Past 
elected officials have worked to improve the building's energy 
efficiency and maintain its appearance. As a former Greene County clerk 
and one who has a deep appreciation for the history of Greene County 
and this grand building, I want to express my pride in the services 
that are provided in this structure and those county employees who work 
in it every day. My hope is that the historic Greene County Courthouse 
has many years of service ahead.

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