Historic Old Courthouse

Completed in 1862, the Historic Old Courthouse takes you back to the time here when Dred and Harriet Scott, both slaves, pleaded with the court for their freedom. Virginia Minor also petitioned for women's right to vote in the 1870’s.

Visit a restored courtroom from the 1860s and view exhibits tracing the history of St. Louis. Murals depict historic events like the bloody attack on St. Louis by the British during the Revolutionary War.

Special exhibits change on a regular basis, so there's always something new to discover at the Historic Old Courthouse, which is a two-block walk from the Arch.

Prepare for your visit with our Historic Old Courthouse Guidebook written by the National Park Service historian, Robert J. Moore, Jr.

Learn more about the architecture and history of the Historic Old Courthouse.