County Seat: Waynesville

Address:

Pulaski County
301 Historic 66 E.
Waynesville, MO 65583

In 1818 a Pulaski County was organized but did not survive. Its boundary included no part of present day Pulaski County. Another Pulaski County, organized in 1833, passed through many boundary changes before the present boundaries were set in 1859.

First courts met in homes. In 1839 commissioners were appointed to procure a site for building a courthouse. By August 1840 the court accepted a hewn-log courthouse, apparently intended to be temporary.

In February 1843 officials moved the county seat to Waynesville, and contractor Allen Hamor built on the present site a two-story, brick courthouse measuring 40 by 28 feet at the base and 22 feet high. 

Three rooms and two halls filled the first floor, and two doors led to the outside. Although badly damaged in the civil War, the courthouse continued in use until 1872 when it was considered beyond repair and no longer safe for storing records or holding court.

The state appropriated $2,000 war damages and the county issued $6,000 in bonds for construction of a new courthouse in 1872-73. An additional appropriation of $1,500 brought the total to nearly $10,000. The two-story, brick courthouse, built on a part of the old courthouse foundation, was larger than the first, measuring 60 by 40 feet at the base and 22 feet high. W. C. Kerr superintended construction. Fire consumed the building June 13, 1903. The only known photograph of the building shows the walls that were left standing after the fiery destruction.

On July 3, 1903, less than a month after the fire, the Pulaski County Court ordered rebuilding and selected architect Henry H. Hohenschild to draw plans. The court was conservative and stayed within an austere budget. Ed Long, Rolla, Missouri, contracted the building for $10,240 in September 1903. He completed the brick, 60-by-40-foot building in March 1904, nine months later. The exposed elements in the ceiling construction are a notable feature. Insurance compensation and general funds covered the cost of construction.

Copyright 2002 University of Missouri. Published by University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia.

In February 1843, officials moved the county seat to Waynesville, and contractor Allen Hamor built on the present site a two-story brick courthouse measuring 40 foot by 28 foot at the base and 22 foot high.
   Three rooms and two halls filled the first floor, and two doors led to the outside. Although badly damaged in the Civil War, the courthouse continued in use until 1872, when it was considered beyond repair and no longer safe for storing records or holding court.
   The state appropriated $2,000 in war damages and the county issued $6,000 in bonds for construction of a new courthouse in 1872-73. An additional appropriation of $1,500 brought the total to nearly $10,000.
   The two-story, brick courthouse, built on part of the old courthouse foundation, was larger than the first, measuring 60 foot by 40 foot at the base and 22 foot high. W.C. Kerr was superintendent of construction.
   Fire consumed the building June 13, 1903. The only known photograph of the building shows the walls that were left standing after the fiery destruction.
   On July 3, 1903, less than a month after the fire, the Pulaski County Court ordered rebuilding and selected architect Henry H. Hohenschild to draw plans. The court was conservative and stayed within a limited budget. Ed Long of Rolla, MO. contracted the building for $10,240 in September 1903. He completed the brick 60-by-20-foot building in March 1904, nine months later.
   Today the Old Courthouse houses a museum which features artifacts collected from throughout Pulaski County. This collection includes blacksmith and carpentry tools, quilts, school materials and Civil War era items on display.

Recorder of Deeds: Index to marriage records, 1903-1918; Marriage records, 1903-1919.

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Circuit court records, 1834-1859 and 1903-1915.

Clerk of the Probate Court: Probate records, 1834-1889; Administra­tor’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1833-1898; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1855-1877; Proof of publication, notices and affidavits, 1872-1899; Settlement records, 1875-1889; Will records, 1833-1925.

Search for Pulaski County on Archives' Online Catalog

Roll by Roll Listing of Microfilm

Missouri Birth & Death Records Database: Search & Record Availability

Probate Records Book A

Will Book A