Built in 1864-65 - Macon, Missouri
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 39° 44.510 W 092° 28.370
15S E 545167 N 4399236
Historical marker on the relocation and construction of the Macon County Courthouse.
Waymark Code: WM5DAZ
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/21/2008
Views: 15
Marker Text:
Built 1864-653rd Courthouse in Macon County
County seat moved to Macon City
from Bloomington, by act of
Legislature in 1863
1st court held in Macon City~
4th Monday, September, 1863 at the
Allen Academy ~ Corner of Union and
Jackson Streets.
1st term of Court in this building~
Sept. 1865 cost of building $30,000.
Annex built in 1895 ~ Probate Court
and deed records ~ Cost $7,000
In 1837, Bloomington, Missouri was the county seat of Macon County. As the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Bloomington became decidedly Pro-Southern. General Lewis Merril ordered Major Thomas Moody to burn the entire town. Major Moody was from the area, and had friends amougst the population. The Major convinced General Merril that he would reduce the influence of the town, by running for state legislature. If elected, he promised to introduce a bill to move the county seat from Bloomington to Macon.
Macon was regarded as a strategic key to Northeastern Missouri during the Civil War. Macon brought together the junction of two railroads. With its importance in consideration, the Union garrisoned troops within the town.
In 1863, Moody was elected to the state legislature. Subsequently, he proposed legislation to move the Macon County Seat to the junction of the North Missouri and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroads at Macon. As an act of military necessity, the bill was adopted by the legislature within 48 hours after its introduction on March 18, 1863.