Adams County - American Courthouses

Adams County is named for John Adams, who was the second President of the United States of America, or for John Quincy Adams, who was the sixth President of the United States of America.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Cass County and Adair County

E – Union County

S – Taylor County

W – Montgomery County

Created: January 15, 1851

County Seat:

Quincy 1853 – 1872

Corning 1872 – present

County Courthouse – Corning

Location: 901 Davis Avenue / 9th Street

Built: 1955

Style: Modern

Architect: Thomas W Williamson and Victor Loebsack and Associates

Contractor: M W Watson

Description: The building faces south and is a three story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Corning. There is a small portico at the south entrance with a large window above. Vertical concrete dividers separate the windows. The entrance is on the first story. At the south center, stairs descend to the former ground story entrance. The Board of Supervisors Meeting Room is located on the northwest side of the ground story. The County Magistrate Court is located on the east side of the first story. The two County District Court courtrooms are located on the north side of the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 5B Judicial District. The building was remodeled and exterior changed in 1989 to 1990. On the north side is the old two story County Sheriff Residence and Jail built in 1877.

History: The county was created in 1851 and Quincy was selected as the county seat in 1853. The first courthouse was a two story wood frame structure built in 1854. The building was torn down in 1932. The county seat was moved to Corning in 1872 and the second courthouse was a two story wood frame structure built in 1873. The courthouse burned on February 1, 1888. The third courthouse was a Queen Anne style structure designed by S E Maxon and constructed by Allan H Chaffee at a cost of $28,183 in 1888 to 1890. The building was razed in 1955. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1955 at a cost of $218,635. The cost of the 1989 to 1990 remodel was $850,000.