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Courthouse Centennial kicks off
NEW MADRID - The kickoff of the celebration marking the New Madrid County Court House's 100th birthday came complete with cake.
County and city officials along with State Rep. Don Rone gathered Friday evening for the first of the activities commemorating the century-old building.
"The purpose of marking the centennial year is to remind all of us of the struggle to build this courthouse and how it has evolved to well serve the government of our county over the past 100 years; and, it will continue to do so for many years to come," said Riley Bock, chairman of the centennial committee.
Bock went on to point out two features of the courthouse - one old and the other added just recently.
He described the interior dome as the central architectural element of the building. The architects, according to Bock, incorporated an interior dome to give the building a feeling of being in a capitol building.
Although a skylight was damaged by a windstorm in 2009, the stain-glass dome was recently relit. Bock said it is again a visible feature of the building.
He also pointed out a newly cast image of the county's 1821 seal now on display on the building's second floor.
Adopted by the County Court, the seal featured an eagle, 24 stars in tribute to Missouri's place as the 24th state, and the year 1821. It was used for official county business from 1822 until 1905, when it was apparently destroyed in the courthouse fire.
"For reasons unknown, perhaps the rush to resume county business, the new seal omitted the eagle, the stars and the date 1821," Bock said.
While moving an old file cabinet in 2014, several documents were found which contained good impressions of the seal. The seal was reconstructed and in November of last year, the County Commission officially adopted the seal for use.
"This beautiful seal now gives the county a direct connection with its early important history in the founding of this state," Bock said.
He noted other upcoming events will include an exhibit opening in April at the courthouse on the building's history and the people influential in forming the county, and a dedication this summer of three historical markers.
Committee member Larry Rost read a tribute from Eighth District Rep. Jason Smith, which was read Jan. 22 before the House of Representatives honoring the 100th anniversary.
"As one of five original counties in the state of Missouri, this courthouse is a landmark symbol for justice and peace serving its citizens for over 100 years," Smith stated.
Following an introduction of county officials by Ronnie Simmons, County Presiding Commissioner Mark Baker spoke.
"Something that has been in effect 100 years old and still in use is amazing," Baker said, adding the county commission has tried to keep the building in good condition.
Baker went on to note the many people who have held long tenures in the Courthouse including his predecessor Clyde Hawes. Hawes has spent 52 years at the courthouse first working in the assessor's office before serving several terms as presiding commissioner.
"The longevity and the continuity that has been in this building ... is one of the reasons for the success we have had," Baker concluded.
Committee member Ed Riley encouraged those attending to view three portraits the committee has had reproduced of those considered New Madrid County's founding fathers -- Robert Dawson, Robert Goah Watson and John Hardeman Walker. The portraits will be framed and become a permanent display of the courthouse, he said.
The Centennial Committee has also had a two-dimensional Christmas ornament created featuring the courthouse and had a silver coin cast featuring the 1821 seal on one side and the courthouse on the other, according to committemember Marsha Holiman. The silver coin can be purchased for $50 and, Holiman said, $20 chances are being sold to win the coin cast in gold. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for some of the centennial events.
Sarah Ezell concluded the program by thanking those who assisted with the centennial celebration events.