Old Boone County Courthouse Columns

Old Boone County Courthouse Columns. . These four Doric portico columns remain from the 1847 Boone County Courthouse, razed in 1909. Dr. William Jewell superintended the building of the courthouse, noted for its architectural beauty. W.M. Winters was the architect and Brightberry McAlester, Larkin Richardson and Henry Keene were the contractors for the building, erected at a cost of $17,165. Limestone for the columns was hauled by oxen from Hinkson Creek, south of Columbia. , The early political, civic and social life of Columbia centered in this courthouse, here the Columbia Library Association was organized December 20, 1858. Here university law classes were held after Academic Hall burned in 1892. The courthouse columns stand parallel to, and in a direct line with the historic university columns which remain from Academic Hall. , The marble slab inscription which was over the front door of the courthouse: "Oh, justice, when expelled from other habitations, make this thy dwelling place" by Dr. William Jewell, was incorporated in the 1909 courthouse just inside the front door in the lobby. The old courthouse bell was placed in the dome of the new courthouse in 1918.