Chase County Courthouse

Completed in 1873, the Courthouse was built from native limestone quarried and hand-cut in the Flint Hills. The limestone blocks were brought to the Courthouse by horse-drawn wagons; some stones weighed nearly seven tons. Over 140 years later, the Courthouse is unmatched in durability and design and remains a living tribute to its builders and the Flint Hills pioneers.

Highlights include a three-story black walnut spiral staircase, a working courtroom with an embossed tin ceiling, a jury room and judge’s chamber, and the unique solidly built jail with a steel door. Hours: Self Guided tours available weekdays 8am-5pm (except government holidays). Tour brochures are available in the courthouse foyer and at the Chase County Chamber Office at 318 Broadway. Guided Group tours available (10+ people) by appointment, 12-4 pm. Monday – Fridays, and Saturdays (April – November), Call the Chase County Chamber at 620-273-8469 to schedule a tour.

Courthouse Fun Facts : Native limestone used in the building has been shipped to every state in the country, where it may be found in scores of famous public structures, including the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. and the Topeka State House. The Register of Deed’s office contains an unusual vault circa 1910, two stories high with a glass brick ceiling. The courthouse was placed on the National Historic Register in 1971 and greeted over 6,000 visitors yearly from every state and many countries. The original construction cost in 1873 was $40,000. Workers in the courthouse were paid well by the standards of the day. Stonemasons earned $3.50 per day, while other workers earned $1.75 to $2.25 daily. Above the jail is a walk-in attic containing a large wooden plank cistern that collects rainwater from the tile roof.