Cottonwood Falls and Chase County Courthouse

Visited on: Monday, October 9, 2023
Cost: Free

Continuing my journey north, I rolled into Cottonwood, Falls, Kansas. I’ve always wanted to see the courthouse in this adorable little community with brick streets and a welcomeing small town vibe.  It did not disappoint!

A historic courthouse with a white stone exterior and red roof stands under a clear blue sky. The building features a central clock tower and arched windows. Trees and a grassy lawn are in the foreground, with pumpkins near the entrance steps.

Completed in 1873, the courthouse was designed by famous Kansas architect John G. Haskell and built out of limestone native to the region. While the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it still functions as the county courthouse.

Fortunately, the building was open, and the court was not in session, so I was able to wander around, marveling at the spectacular woodwork.

A wooden staircase with ornate railings curves upward beside a hallway with polished wood floors. A wooden bench, small table with pamphlets, and a large antique clock mounted on the wall are near the stairs. Framed photos and benches line the hallway.

The staircase is probably the most striking element of the building’s entryway.

A grand, curved wooden staircase with ornate carpeting leads upward. The railing features spindle balusters. Above, part of another staircase is visible. Globe ceiling lights illuminate the cream-colored walls and framed pictures hang on the lower floor.

I immediately headed up the stairs to try and capture the craftsmanship and grandeur of this prominent architectural feature. I was thrilled to capture this picture.

View from above of a grand spiral staircase with dark wooden railing, winding down several floors. At the bottom, a reception desk, computer, and chair sit on a wooden floor, with patterned carpet on the stairs and landing. Walls are light-colored.

The courthouse is home to many government offices, and upstairs is the courtroom itself. The woodwork is superb, and I love the two-tone doors on each side of the bench.

An empty courtroom with wooden benches, tables, and chairs. The judge’s bench, flanked by American and blue flags, faces the room. Large windows with closed blinds and ornate light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The carpet is patterned in red and gold.

Of course, I had to head up to the third floor and snap a couple of pictures from the round window just below the tower.

A historic courthouse with a red clock tower and American flag stands on a grassy hill. The building features arched windows and stone walls. A brick street, stop sign, and street lamps are in the foreground, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

Brick streets give a town such an artistic ambiance.

View through a round, slightly dirty window showing a small town street lined with buildings and parked cars on both sides. The street leads toward a green tree line under a clear blue sky, with no people visible outside.

Oh Look! There’s my Jeep and teardrop trailer!

View through an oval window with a slightly dirty pane, showing a parking lot with cars, a street lined with trees, and low buildings under a clear blue sky. Ruins of an old brick wall are visible at the bottom of the scene.

After exploring the interior, I headed outside to snap a few pictures. Including the historical marker about this Landmark of Distinction. 

A brown Kansas Historical Marker sign stands on stone next to a white historic courthouse with arched windows and a red roof. The sign describes the courthouse’s history and significance. Green grass and trees surround the building on a sunny day.
A black, historic cannon on wooden wheels sits on a concrete slab beside a tall stone war memorial with engraved plaques. A small American flag and metal star are placed at the base. Trees and a brick building appear in the background under a clear sky.
A small-town street lined with storefronts and parked cars is shown under a clear blue sky. An American flag waves on a tall pole beside a tree and a stone sign, with grass and a sidewalk in the foreground and trees in the background.

Brick pavement creates an interesting visual image that draws the eye down the street and to the courthouse. I had to patiently wait for the traffic to snap this photo… and by traffic, I mean the random single car or truck that rolled into my frame!

A wide, sunlit street paved with bricks stretches toward a white historic courthouse with a clock tower. Old brick buildings line both sides of the street, and several parked cars are visible under a clear blue sky.

I love wandering around small towns and seeing what I may discover.

A small stone structure with circular openings and arches sits beside a curb, surrounded by ornamental grasses and bushes. Trees and a wooden fence are in the background under a clear blue sky. A brick building is partially visible to the right.
A stone archway leads into a grassy area bordered by a low stone wall. Tall grasses grow near the entrance. Sunlight filters through green trees in the background, casting shadows and a subtle light flare across the upper left corner of the image.
A wooden bench with a rustic, natural finish sits on a sidewalk. The bench is supported by two carved bases, one resembling bridge towers. Grass and fallen leaves surround the walkway; a stone balustrade and trees are in the background.
A vintage Sinclair gasoline pump with a round sign featuring a green dinosaur stands in front of a cream stucco building with a large window and red-and-white striped awning. The pump is labeled “DINO” and has classic, retro design elements.
A small, white stucco building with a red roof sits beside an old-fashioned gas pump. Another vintage gas pump and wheel lean against a brown wooden shed. Large trees and clear blue sky surround the sunlit, empty concrete lot.

As I was in Cottonwood Falls, I did have to check out the falls and meander over the bridge to check out the signage on a nearby display.

A small, partially broken concrete dam crosses a calm river surrounded by lush green trees. Water gently cascades over the cracks in the dam. A stone wall is visible on the left, and a house is partially seen among the trees in the background.
An informational sign reads “Flint Hills National Scenic Byway.” It features photos of grasslands, wildflowers, bison, prairie fires, a map, and historic statues with descriptive text about the Kansas Flint Hills’ landscape, history, ecology, and scenic driving route.
An informational sign titled “Kansas Byways” features yellow and brown colors, wheat illustrations, a photo of a road at sunset, storylines, a Kansas map, and descriptions of nine scenic byways with directions and icons. The Kansas and Federal Highway logos appear at the bottom.
A concrete arch bridge spans a shallow, rocky river. Sunlight casts shadows under the arches. The water reflects the bridge structure. Trees and greenery surround the area, and debris is scattered along the riverbank and in the water.

As I headed back to my Jeep, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m just wandering, meandering, and poking around a fascinating little town. This is part of what I wanted for this journey – the opportunity to see and experience things that are so often lost in the hustle and bustle of modern life. 

Back at the courthouse, the sun sat in a perfect spot for another photo, and I had to snap a selfie too!

A large historic courthouse with white stone walls, arched windows, and a steep red roof stands under a blue sky. A clock tower rises above the building, and sunlight creates a halo effect. Stairs with a railing lead to the entrance, and pumpkins decorate the steps.
A smiling man with glasses takes a selfie in front of a historic stone courthouse with a red clock tower roof. The building has arched windows and a clock; trees partially frame the scene, and sunlight creates dappled shadows on the ground.
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From: Kansas
Filed Under: Architectural Fascination, Discovered Treasures, Sidewalk Sauntering
Journal Entry Tags:
BridgesCourthousesFlint HillsHistoric BuildingsHistorical Markers
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