MARYVILLE, Mo. — As construction season heats up across northwest Missouri, the historic Nodaway County Courthouse in downtown Maryville is next in line for a much-needed facelift.
The courthouse, built in the 1880s and designed by the renowned St. Joseph firm Eckel and Mann, shares stylistic roots with its counterpart in Gentry County, where contractors just wrapped up similar work at the Albany courthouse. Now, that same crew is headed to Nodaway County to address wear and tear on its own aging facade.
Nodaway County Commissioner Scott Walk says the work will focus on preserving the building’s historic exterior.
The county is using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to finance the project. Under federal guidelines, those dollars must be spent by the end of 2026, or they will be forfeited.
Although the cost of maintaining such historic landmarks can be a burden, Walk says the county recognizes the courthouse's significance.
Construction is expected to begin next week and last about four weeks, weather permitting. A soggy spring delayed progress at the Gentry County site, and officials hope for drier days in Maryville.
The courthouse restoration marks another investment in preserving the architectural and civic legacy of Missouri’s county seats—ensuring these 19th-century landmarks remain standing strong in the 21st century.