Chase County Courthouse
Cottonwood Falls, KS
A stone courthouse with a mansard roof and a distinctive spiral staircase, set in a tiny Flint Hills town. Step inside if it is open, then stroll the few blocks of old storefronts before driving the prairie roads.
The Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls was built in 1873 in the French Second Empire style and is considered the oldest courthouse still in use in Kansas. It is made of local limestone and has a mansard roof with a clock cupola. It was designed by John G. Haskell, who also worked on the Kansas State Capitol. Inside, a three-story spiral staircase of local walnut winds upward; the building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.
A short way to the north, an arch bridge renovated in 1914 spans the Cottonwood River; from there you can see the waterfall and the dam, originally built in 1860 for a mill. Allow about an hour for the building and a stroll through town. As a working courthouse, it can be visited on your own on weekdays during business hours; on weekends an appointment through the chamber of commerce is needed (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Cottonwood Falls, KS
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.3720, -96.5440
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
© olekinderhook · CC BY 3.0Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
© Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domainKonza Prairie Biological Station
© The All-Nite Images from NY, NY, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
© RuralResurrection · CC BY 4.0Lindsborg
Campsites nearby
- Motorhome stopover · Cottonwood FallsMotorhome stopover0 mi from Chase County Courthouse · 5 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Emporia RV ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Chase County CourthouseMotorhomes
All campsites in Kansas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Chase County Courthouse?
Chase County Courthouse is in Cottonwood Falls, KS, at GPS 38.3720, -96.5440. It is about 20 mi from Council Grove.
Can you camp near Chase County Courthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Emporia RV Park, about 17 mi away; within 25 mi there are 2 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Chase County Courthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (4 mi), Konza Prairie Biological Station (51 mi), Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum (52 mi) and Lindsborg (63 mi).
When is the best time to visit Chase County Courthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)