Franklin County Courthouse

Ottawa, Kansas

The Franklin County Courthouse celebrated its 100^th year of service in 1993. It is regarded as one of the most outstanding works of George P. Washburn who was one of the best known 19^th century Kansas architects.

Courthouses were one of Washburn's specialties and his symmetrical courthouse designs gave unique character to 13 Kansas county seats. The first was the Johnson county courthouse in Olathe (demolished). Franklin County claims his second. Ottawa was also the home of Washburn for more than 60 years where he practiced his profession in his office on South Main until his death in 1922. The building at 413 S. Main still carries his name.

Following the organization of Franklin county in 1855, the location of a permanent county seat moved with the early settlements in the county and often with hard feelings between the winner and loser. Locations included St. Bernard, a store near the north county line, set by the Territorial Legislature in 1858; Minneola, a half mile west of St. Bernard, where plans included a grand state capitol and the construction of a building for the territorial constitution convention; Peoria had its moment in a recall election; and finally Ottawa following an ordered election August 1, 1864.

For nearly 30 years the court and county offices lived a 'nomadic' life as they sought office space in private buildings along Main Street in the emerging town of Ottawa. According to an editor of one of the local newspapers "county offices were driven from pillar to post," relocating many times. Efforts to obtain a permanent structure for county offices began in 1884 but were unsuccessful until 1891. Citizen George W. Hamblin, a leading Ottawa real estate dealer, offered to build a suitable building on the courthouse block between 3^rd and 4^th Streets on Hickory--provided the county would deed him the 18 lots facing Main Street. However, when it was brought to light that the original Town Company had platted the block for a courthouse--the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the ground could not be used for any other purpose. At that time the courthouse block included a "dingy old rotten stone coop yclept (known as) a jail and a picturesque band stand built somewhere between one and two hundred years ago"--again the words of a local editor.

Another hurdle was funding for a new structure. In the late 80's the state was suffering from a depression and the county leaders did not feel the voters would look favorably on a tax increase.

A major figure in the courthouse decision was P. P. Elder, an early county father. Elder was elected to the Kansas Territorial Council in 1859, was an early county commissioner, elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1890 and served as Speaker of the House (elected by unanimous vote). Elder introduced an act in 1891 authorizing Boards of County Commissions to levy and collect a tax upon taxable county property for the purpose of erecting permanent county buildings. The act authorized a three mill levy after a majority of the qualified voters cast favorable ballots. The act became law March 3, 1891, and on March 13 the Franklin County Commission called an election for April 21, 1891, with a maximum cost of $50,000. Over 3,000 votes were cast with voters favoring the construction of a courthouse and the mill levy by nearly two to one.

The commissioners along with Washburn went to work. They visited the newly completed Johnson County courthouse and plans were developed. Bids were opened December 19, 1891, with L. W. Divelbiss of Olathe low bidder for construction at $45,939. Total cost of the building including vault doors, lightning rods, extras in foundation and plastering work was listed at $49,014.69. Additional costs for heating and plumbing, light fixtures, furniture and supervisors of $17,924.56 listed a total expenditure of $66,939.25.

Much of the work was done by local craftsmen and workers. Washburn also served as building supervisor with S. F. Beeler and Ben Johnson, assistant supervisors. Subcontractors included :Sona Pierson, basement and foundation; Simon Reidy, cut stone and carving; William Jeffries Co., millwork; William Broderick, painting; George Abbot (Olathe) plastering; and A. P. Elder, plumbing and heating fixtures.

Limestone for the basement walls was shipped from the Rettiger Quarry, Strong City; pressed red-faced brick manufactured by Ottawa Brick and Tile; and sandstone shipped from Warrensburg, Mo. The interior trim was hand oil-rubbed natural oak and door and window trimmings of solid bronze.

One can imagine the marvelous scene on the courthouse square during 1892-93 as workmen plied their trade and the building began to take shape--before a gallery of sidewalk superintendents! The courthouse (exterior proportions of 73 feet by 112 feet), full basement, three floors and intricate roof design was completed in less than two years--a marvel even by today's standards.

Cornerstone ceremonies were held on the grounds the morning of July 4, 1892, conducted by the local Masonic Order. The event concluded with the 4^th of July celebration in Forest Park that afternoon. Bands from Williamsburg, Wellsville, Princeton and Ottawa, civic groups, buggies carrying Chairman of the Day H. P. Welsh, the mayor, honored guests, commissioners and citizens joined in a colorful parade to the park. The program there included a welcome by Elder and addresses by Judge Benson and Judge D. M. Valentine.

During the continued construction the Ottawa Weekly Herald (October 1892) reported one serious accident when "L. N. Hart, a young carpenter, fell from the rafters to the basement, a distance of nearly 75 feet, through the joists of all floors. There was nothing to break his fall but a rope which he intuitively caught hold of, but was loose at both ends, to break his fall...His right wrist and right ankle were broken and his right hip dislocated." The paper did not carry further news of his condition.

County officials began to move into the building in late September and completed the move by October.

In a "royally festive celebration" Tuesday, October 3, 1893, the Franklin County courthouse was dedicated. Judge Benson delivered the morning address that included interesting items of county history, local jurisprudence and Kansas history, with many asides to local personalities. After a break for "dinner" the crowd assembled again in the courtroom where Judge Benson was called upon "to arraign and pass sentence" on contractor Divelbiss who was charged with "obstructing the view of sundry property owners on Main Street facing the square." In conclusion to the frivolity, "Mr. D. was presented an elegant gold-headed cane honoring his work." Other speakers included Wm. E. Kibbe of Ohio Township, Judge Solon O. Thacher and Judge Valentine.

The local news reported, "The commissioners were the busiest of the busy; from dawn to dark they blithesomely officiated as guides, ushers and cyclopedias of general information." 1893 commissioners were J. L. Hawkins, W. H. Moherman and J. S. Tulloss. G. C. Aiken was replaced by Tulloss in 1892.

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