Courthouse Square Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

From the record

“Courthouse Square Historic District is a national historic district located at Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri. The district encompasses 24 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential area of Chillicothe.”
Wikipedia article Courthouse Square Historic District (Chillicothe, Missouri), CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 4 National Register listings published here for Livingston County · listed in 2002 · category: District.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service · the Wikipedia article

The listing

Address. Roughly bounded by Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, and Elm Sts., Chillicothe, 64601
When was it listed? October 2002
Category. district
Also known as. Chillicothe, Missouri MPS
Township. Chillicothe township
National Register reference number. 02001177 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

The ground it stands on

12,700 words

The chapter on Chillicothe Township in Past and Present of Livingston County, Missouri : a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, published 1913 names Chillicothe. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.

On the 7th of August, 1837, the county court, then in session at Joseph Cox's, took the first steps toward laying out and establishing the town of Chillicothe. On this day John Graves was appointed to "lay ofif into lots the county seat, where the commissioners appointed by the State Legislature shall locate it." It was also ordered that the county seat "shall be denominated and known by the name of Chillicothe." The town was named for Chillicothe, Ohio, the county seat of Ross county.

Passage source: Past and Present of Livingston County, Missouri : a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, published 1913.

Not until July 15, 1839, was Chillicothe selected and designated as the county seat of Livingston county, although it had been virtually the county's capital for some time. On the day named, however, the commissioners, who were E. W. Warren, Samuel Williams and Geo. W. Folger, all of Carroll county, selected the southwest quarter of section 36, township 58, range 24, as the county seat, as being "the most eligible location for said county seat," and its site according with the provisions of the organizing act, in lying "within three miles of the center of said county."

Passage source: Past and Present of Livingston County, Missouri : a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, published 1913.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Chillicothe Township - 12,700 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.

Fires near this property

19 since 1999

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 19 fires within 5 miles of Courthouse Square Historic District between 1999 and 2020, burning about 76 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Debris and open burning	15
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	3
Equipment and vehicle use	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
3 September 1999	Debris and open burning	2.0 acres	Missouri Department of Conservation	not named
24 May 2018	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	177017-05996-05242018-0040
19 May 2018	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	177016-05996-05192018-1959
22 April 2019	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	178835-05996-04222019-2209
22 April 2018	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	176693-05996-04222018-1621
17 April 2018	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	176691-05996-04172018-1944
15 April 2019	Debris and open burning	1.0 acres	Missouri Department of Conservation	178573-05996-04152019-2155
15 April 2019	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Missouri Department of Conservation	178574-05996-04152019-2014

Every fire recorded in Livingston County

Mines and quarries near this property

1 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Courthouse Square Historic District: 1 past producer. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where	Site	Commodity	Status	Recorded
	Unknown	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Past Producer

Every working recorded in Livingston County

Storms near this property

60 of 102 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Chillicothe, the town this property stands in, in 102 storm reports between 1995 and 2024: 45 hail, 40 thunderstorm wind, 8 flood, 6 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
May 2004	Tornado (F1)	Chillicothe	$1,700,000	A tornado struck just south of Chillicothe where highway 65 crosses Shoal Creek, east-northeast to approximately 3 miles east of Chillicothe. Isolated areas of F1 magnitude tornado damage were observed, especially along CR255. Widespread straight-line wind damage also noted along the path of this tornado. Witnesses described seeing what appeared to be a 6-mile wide lowering with intermittent vortices touching the ground.
September 2001	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$500,000	The MetLife blimp that broke from its mast in Kansas City, came to a rest on private property. The blimp accompanied a squall line nearly 60 miles before crashing. The blimp was severely damaged and there was minor damage to a truck on the ground.
April 1999	Tornado (F1)	Chillicothe	$250,000	The tornado touched down 7 miles east of Chillicothe, detroying a maching shed and downing several telephone poles and trees. Before dissipating 7 miles north of Wheeling, a pole barn, grain bin, and a small garage was destroyed near the point where the tornado lifted.
April 2006	Hail	Chillicothe	$250,000	no account filed
June 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$100,000	Missouri State Troopers reported several trees blown down as a result of severe thunderstorm winds along D Highway 9 miles southwest of Chillicothe.
June 1995	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$10,000	Strong winds knocked down large tree limbs in Chillicothe. A few power lines were downed by the limbs, and a tree fell into a house, creating a large hole. Street flooding also occurred with 1.18 inches of rain in just 25 minutes.
June 2005	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$5,000	Roof off of barn and upstairs house window blown out.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$4,000	Numerous power lines were reported down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
May 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$2,000	Power poles were reported down, with thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 70 mph.
April 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$2,000	A large oak tree fell on an outbuilding, crushing everything inside.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$1,000	Powerlines were reported down across the town. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
April 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$1,000	A roof was blown off a 50X80 foot building onto a road.
March 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$750	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph. A few strips of siding were blown off a house. A privacy fence was partially blown down. A six inch diameter tree was blown over.
June 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$500	Tree limbs and power lines were reported down, with cable and phone service out.
April 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$500	A billboard was blown over at the intersection of Highway 65 and Highway 190.
July 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	$200	A large tree and power line were reported down in Chillicothe. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
June 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Estimated gusts up to 60 mph in Chillicothe.
September 2023	Hail	Chillicothe	-	Quarter sized hail reported in Chillicothe.
July 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Large tree limbs downed across Chillicothe.
March 2022	Hail	Chillicothe	-	This report came in via social media.
August 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Several large tree limbs around 4 to 6 inches in diameter broke. Power outages were also reported with this storm.
June 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	ASOS measured 60 mph wind.
August 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Public reported 60 mph wind.
May 2018	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Numerous trees were down and structures were damaged in Chillicothe. It is unknown the exact breadth of the damage or costs of the damage.
July 2017	Flood	Chillicothe	-	Water over the road on 3rd Street near the old prison property caused a vehicle to stall.
July 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	A tree of unknown size and condition was blown onto a box trailer.
March 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	The public called in a report of 60 to 70 mph winds near Chillicothe.
August 2016	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Water was flowing over several roads in Chillicothe as a result of heavy rain.
July 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Media reports a few large tree limbs, around 3 to 4 inches in diameter, were down.
August 2015	Flood	Chillicothe	-	Water was covering a low water crossing at Cedar Crest Lane and North Fair Street in Chillicothe.
November 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Winds of 65 mph were estimated to have caused 4 inch tree limbs to break.
April 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Tree limbs blown down with quarter sized hail also reported.
April 2014	Hail	Chillicothe	-	Strong winds were also reported.
July 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	A large tree limb was reported snapped on Locust Street in Chillicothe, Missouri.
June 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	A spotter estimated 60 mph winds.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 75 mph.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 65 mph.
June 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Several 4 to 6 inch diameter tree limbs were reported down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
February 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph. Pea sized hail was also reported.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
May 2010	Heavy Rain	Chillicothe	-	Spotter measured 2.10 inches of rain in 70 minutes.
May 2010	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Water was reported over the road, at the intersection of Clay Street and Easton Street.
May 2009	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Up to 10 inches of rain, caused flash flooding over Highway 65, south of Chillicothe.
August 2009	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Up to eight inches of running water, was reported on Highway 65, south of Chillicothe.
March 2008	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 32.35 feet, or 8.35 feet above flood stage.
December 2008	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 30.56 feet, or 6.56 feet above flood stage.
April 2008	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 26.88 feet, or 2.88 feet above flood stage.
April 2007	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 24.44 feet, or 0.44 feet above flood stage.
May 2007	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 37.14 feet, or 13.14 feet above flood stage. This was the third highest crest ever on May 10, 2007.
November 2007	Hail	Chillicothe	-	Hail with a diameter 0.75 to 0.88 inches was reported.
February 2007	Flood	Chillicothe	-	The Grand River near Chillicothe crested at 25.75 feet, or 1.75 feet above flood stage.
June 2005	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Water over Route V and on Highway 65.
August 2004	Flash Flood	Chillicothe	-	Highway 136 closed due to water over the roadway.
September 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	Numerous downed trees and power lines were reported in Chillicothe.
June 1998	Hail	Chillicothe	-	Golfball-size hail was reported during a severe thunderstorm by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office at Chillicothe.
September 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Chillicothe	-	A HAM radio operator reported a 60 MPH wind gust at Chillicothe. The sheriff's department reported downed large trees in the southwest part of Chillicothe and also in the downtown section.
July 1995	Hail	Chillicothe	-	Quarter-size hail was reported at Chillicothe.
May 2018	Hail	Chillicothe	-	no account filed
March 2017	Hail	Chillicothe	-	no account filed

Every storm recorded in Livingston County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

3 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Property	Distance	Listed
Chillicothe Commercial Historic District	0.2 miles	2002
Chillicothe Industrial Home for Girls	0.6 miles	2010
Grace Episcopal Church and Building	0.7 miles	1980

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 02001177 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia article	Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Livingston County	All 4 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.