Taylor County is named for Zachary Taylor, who was the twelfth President of the United States of America.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Adams County
E – Ringgold County
S – Worth County, Missouri and Nodaway County, Missouri
W – Page County
Created: February 24, 1847
County Seat:
Bedford 1853 – present
County Courthouse – Bedford
Location: 405 Jefferson Street / Court Avenue
Built: 1892 – 1893
Style: Romanesque
Architect: F M Ellis
Contractor: Allan H Chaffee of Corning
Description: The building faces south and is a three story red colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Bedford. The building is constructed of pressed bricks and Bedford limestone. The south entrance has a wide stone trimmed arch with recessed doorway. Above are two turrets with conical roofs. The third story has a large arched window. In the center of the building is a large square white colored cupola with clock and white colored dome. The base of the building is white colored course stone. In the interior is an elegant spiral staircase in the office of the Clerk of Court ascending to the County District Court courtroom and fireplaces that are featured in most of the rooms. The floors have decorative ceramic titles and a large wood staircase is located at the south entrance lobby. The County District Court courtroom is located on the east side of the second story. The judge’s bench is carved, with carved panel behind. The gallery seats are long wood benches. The building houses the County District Court of the 5B Judicial District.
Note: The contractor, Allan H Chaffee lost money on the project, so the county gave him an additional $1,000 and a gold watch to thank him for remaining faithful to the original contract price.
See: The 5B Judicial District includes Adair County. Clarke County, Decatur County, Lucas County, Ringgold County, Union County and Wayne County.
History: The county was created in 1847 and Bedford was selected as the county seat in 1853 when the county was organized. The first courthouse was a two story stone structure built in 1863 on the south side of the Courthouse Square. The cost of construction of the present and second courthouse in 1892 to 1893 was $38,810.
County Courthouse – Bedford
County District Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008 and 2024
Images 21*