Experience History at the Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse in St. Louis is one of the oldest free standing buildings in the downtown area. As the first part of Gateway Arch National Park, it was the site of the pivotal Dred Scott cases in 1847 and 1850 and the Virginia Minor case in 1872. Inside the Old Courthouse, you will tour its historic courtrooms and learn more about the nation’s judicial system.

The Old Courthouse is currently undergoing renovations and will be reopen May 3, 2025!

See Restoration Progress
View of the Old Courthouse with the Gateway Arch peaking out from behind it

Old Courthouse Highlights

  • Illustration of brick all with arrow Built in 1839 and 1862
  • Illustration of justice scales 1847 and 1850 Dred Scott cases
  • Illustration of voting box 1872 Virginia Minor case
  • Illustration of 3 raised fists Over 300 freedom suits filed
  • Illustration of family in gallery 4 NEW exhibits galleries

Witness Transformational Moments of Justice

In the shadow of the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse stands as a symbol of truth and justice. Throughout its days of operation, this historic Old Courthouse in St. Louis tried over 300 freedom suits and is a site on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Plan Your Visit
View of three levels of the rotunda inside the Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse

Explore the halls where trials were held and justice took shape and observe the courthouse’s incredible 1800s architecture.

A Gateway Arch National Park ranger stands over a student who sits in the judge's chair inside a courtroom of the Old Courthouse

Courtrooms

Grab a gavel or take a seat at the bench to experience a recreated courtrooms inside the historic courthouse in the heart of Downtown St. Louis.

Image of the Old Courthouse's east-facing entrance from across the street on a blue sky day

Main Entrance

Enter the Old Courthouse through the East or West Wings, leading to the beautiful rotunda that marks your first stop before exploring the inside of the courthouse.

A Gateway Arch National Park ranger swears in a young visitor as a Jr. Ranger inside a courtroom in the Old Courthouse

NPS Junior Ranger Program

Become a NPS Junior Ranger by completing a series of challenges and receive your NPS junior ranger badge! Jr. Ranger programming is offered at the Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, and on the Riverboats when a ranger is on board.

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Explore the Old Courthouse Exhibits

The Old Courthouse holds four innovative exhibit galleries about the judicial system, the construction of the courthouse, African Americans’ fight for civil rights, and the courthouse’s most famous cases. Exhibits will include:

A black and her and two young children stand in front of an exhibit about Dred & Harriet Scott inside the Old Courthouse

Dred and Harriet Scott

Focuses on the Scotts’ fight for freedom, which began in the Old Courthouse, and how the legal and political environment at the time culminated in the infamous U.S. Supreme Court Decision. The exhibit gallery also reflects on the legacy and relevancy of their case today.

A Gateway Arch National Park ranger leans down to talk to a young visitor and their mother inside the Old Courthouse

Pathways to Freedom

Explores African American life in St. Louis through slavery, the tortured legacy of enslaved individuals seeking freedom, post-Civil War civil rights, and more.

Two visitors interact with a light-up model of the Old Courthouse

Designed for Justice

Highlights the architectural features of the courthouse and the spirit of innovation of architects, artists, builders, and craftsmen.

A pair of Gateway Arch National Park rangers speak to student seated inside a mock courtroom in the Old Courthouse

See You in Court

Focuses on the importance of courts in our society, our legal structure, and the daily activities in the courthouse from 1839 to 1930. Visitors will be able to experience an 1850s courtroom and re-enact mock trials that will further their understanding of how our court system allows us to settle disputes peacefully, and provide a framework for how our society functions.

Old Courthouse FAQs

Before visiting the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, here are a few of our commonly asked questions:

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Explore More Below the Gateway Arch

It’s easy to plan a full day at Gateway Arch National Park. Discover all of our activities below!

Mom with three teens in Gateway Arch tram

Tram Ride to the Top

Travel to the top of the Gateway Arch inside one of our trams.

Visit the Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch before putting in the last piece

“Monument to the Dream” Documentary Movie

Discover how the Gateway Arch came to be in the Academy Award nominated documentary movie.

Watch the Documentary
View of the inside of the Gateway Arch museum

Museum under the Gateway Arch

Explore our free museum during your next visit.

Visit the Museum
Child holding VR headset in Gateway Arch museum

Virtual Reality Theater

Immerse yourself in St. Louis riverfront history in our award-winning Virtual Reality Theater movie.

Visit the VR Theater
Woman walking her dog in Gateway arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

Wander the 91 acre national park grounds.

Explore the Park Grounds
View of the riverboat and Gateway Arch

Riverboat Cruises

Cruise along the Mississippi River on a replica paddlewheel riverboat.

Book a Riverboat Cruise

Have additional questions before you visit the Old Courthouse? Contact us about our hours, parking information or other activities by calling our Call Center at 877-982-1410 or emailing us at info@gatewayarch.com.