Jackson County Courthouse, Kansas City

The Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City serves as a hub for judicial and administrative offices for the western portion of Jackson County. Built in 1934, the courthouse is a striking example of Art Deco architecture, designed by the renowned architectural firm Wight and Wight. The building’s design was heavily influenced by Harry S. Truman, who was the presiding judge of the Jackson County Court at the time. Truman drew inspiration from the Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, designed by Edward F. Neild, who was subsequently brought on as a consulting architect-engineer for the project.

Before this courthouse was established, the county’s judicial needs were met by an adapted unfinished hotel building at 2nd and Main Street, repurposed by Asa Beebe Cross in 1872. By the early 20th century, the existing courthouse annex at 5th and Oak was deemed unsafe, prompting the need for a new structure. A $4 million bond issue approved by voters in 1931 funded the construction of the new courthouse, along with the adjacent Kansas City City Hall. The Jackson County Courthouse was dedicated in December 1934, and during his first term as U.S. Senator from 1935 to 1939, Truman maintained an office in the building.

One of the notable artistic features of the courthouse is the elaborate painted ceiling on the second floor, completed in 2006 by artist Chris Doyle, which includes portraits of county employees. The courthouse lobby is adorned with five medallions representing Faith, Authority, Justice, Aspiration, and Progress, sculpted in white and bronze by Kansas City sculptor Jorgen Dreyer. This courthouse stands as a testament to the rich architectural heritage and the influential history of the figures who shaped it, particularly Harry S. Truman, whose legacy is closely tied to its story.