Created 26-Nov-13
23 photos
St. Louis Old Courthouse
St. Louis' Old Courthouse, located just blocks from Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, is one of St. Louis' most prominent architectural landmarks and visually framed by the Gateway Arch.
Ground was broken for the Greek Revival architectural-style building in 1839 and was officially completed in 1864, but was in full use years before its completion. Most famously, serving as the setting for the pivotal Dred Scott case between 1847 and 1850, in which U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, Roger B. Taney, passed down the decision that slaves were not citizens, a flashpoint that helped trigger the start of the Civil War.
In an ironic twist of fate, it was also Chief Justice Taney who had the distinction of swearing in Abraham Lincoln as our sixteenth president, the future author of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Old Courthouse ceased operation in 1930 but is a national historic landmark and part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Maintained by the National Park Service, the Old Courthouse is a popular St. Louis tourist destination for visitors from around the globe as well as history-loving locals. Visit my St. Louis architecture home page.
CONTACT ME if you would like to receive email announcements about fine art Print Specials and new Photo Galleries, book a portrait session or if you have a specific question.
St. Louis' Old Courthouse, located just blocks from Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, is one of St. Louis' most prominent architectural landmarks and visually framed by the Gateway Arch.
Ground was broken for the Greek Revival architectural-style building in 1839 and was officially completed in 1864, but was in full use years before its completion. Most famously, serving as the setting for the pivotal Dred Scott case between 1847 and 1850, in which U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, Roger B. Taney, passed down the decision that slaves were not citizens, a flashpoint that helped trigger the start of the Civil War.
In an ironic twist of fate, it was also Chief Justice Taney who had the distinction of swearing in Abraham Lincoln as our sixteenth president, the future author of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Old Courthouse ceased operation in 1930 but is a national historic landmark and part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Maintained by the National Park Service, the Old Courthouse is a popular St. Louis tourist destination for visitors from around the globe as well as history-loving locals. Visit my St. Louis architecture home page.
CONTACT ME if you would like to receive email announcements about fine art Print Specials and new Photo Galleries, book a portrait session or if you have a specific question.
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