Sec. A Page 22 Missoulian Centennial First Courthouse Finished in 1871
First Courthouse Finished in 1871
The first Missoula County Courthouse constructed on the site of the present one, was completed in 1871 on a contract with J. J. Tasker. The contract was let Aug. 15, 1870. This project cost the county $15,600. Tasker also built the old stone jail about the same time for about $7,000. The fence surrounding the square, together with the clearing of the area and incidentals, cost an additional $3,200. These were considered excessive costs for that time. It was explained that there were no available funds, and construction payments had to be made by county warrants, which were salable at only 25 cents on the dollar. The contractor took this into consideration in bidding on the project.
This article was accompanied by a photo of the courthouse courtesy of H. S. Jewett.