It occupied the same site as today’s Cowley County Courthouse in the block bounded by East Ninth, Fuller, Tenth and Loomis, but was much smaller. "It was a lovely building," says Martha Jean Robinson of Village East. "It had a sort of dome on top with a clock on each side. But the time was never correct." She also recalled the fun times she had as a child at the annual May Day Fete on the courthouse lawn, complete with all sorts of events including the traditional maypole dance. She said the activities later outgrew the limited space and the festivities were moved to the Southwestern College campus. The first courthouse was of wood-frame construction and was built in 1873. There were at least two large additions over the years until the imposing one with the high, domed clock tower was built. That was demolished and the present structure built in 1963.
Howard Buffum April, 2000