Old Courthouse Fact Sheet

Part of Gateway Arch National Park, the Old Courthouse stands as one of St. Louis’ most prominent architectural landmarks. This beautifully restored federal courthouse has served as the backdrop for some of America’s pivotal early legal cases: It was the site of Dred Scott’s suit for freedom, launched in 1846, and where the case’s lower court trials were heard in 1847 and 1850; and Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote in the 1870s.

The first courthouse was completed in 1828 but soon required an expansion. Missouri gained statehood in 1821, and thanks to a booming fur trade, the population of St. Louis tripled in 10 years. The cornerstone for a second courthouse, designed with four wings and a dome in the center of its axis, was laid in 1839. The second structure was used as a court building by 1842. In 1851 a second period of construction began when the original brick courthouse was demolished and replaced with a new east wing. The original dome, built in the classic revival style, was replaced by a wrought- and cast-iron dome with a copper exterior, resembling those of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

By 1930 court functions outgrew the Old Courthouse, and the courts moved up the street to the Civil Courts Building. Some magistrate courts continued to meet in the Old Courthouse while the rest of the building was rented out to public agencies. The Old Courthouse was deeded to the federal government in 1940, after which it was incorporated into what was then Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (now Gateway Arch National Park).

Old Courthouse Facts
• Before the first courthouse was completed in 1828, St. Louis did not have a dedicated government building. Official city business was often conducted in a church, tavern or fort.
• The Old Courthouse was the tallest building in St. Louis and the state of Missouri until 1896, when Union Station was built.
• While the Dred Scott case looms large in the history of the Old Courthouse, St. Louis Circuit Court records show that more than 300 there “freedom suits” were filed there by 1860.

Hours of Operation
The Old Courthouse is currently closed for renovation.

Location and Parking
Gateway Arch National Park 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO 63102. While there is no on-site parking available, preferred parking is offered at a discounted rate at the Stadium East Garage. More information is available at gatewayarch.com/parking.

Accessibility
Ramps at the East and West entrances provide access to the building for those with limited mobility. Most of the first floor is wheelchair accessible and the new elevator provides accessibility to the second floor. Additional ramps off the rotunda provide access to some of the second floor.

Media Contact
media@gatewayarch.com