The 1903 Courthouse Museum (also known as the Pulaski County Museum) is located right in downtown Waynesville, Missouri. This historic site offers a look into the people, events, and places that shaped Pulaski County.
The courthouse was constructed in 1903 in the Romanesque Revival style, complete with a square Italianate tower (campanile), arched windows, a portico porch, and decorative corbels. Designed by state architect Henry H. Hohenschild, it was the fourth courthouse built in Waynesville and the third to stand on this very spot. A brick date stone on the second floor, shaped like a shield, displays the year of construction: 1903. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and served as a courthouse until 1993. Today, it’s been repurposed as a museum dedicated to preserving local history.
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Inside, you’ll find exhibits covering everything from the Trail of Tears to the Civil War, both World Wars, the Frisco Railroad, Route 66, and nearby Fort Leonard Wood. The museum features artifacts, photos, and documents that bring Pulaski County’s history to life.
One of the highlights is upstairs: the original courtroom, still intact, complete with wooden jury box. Visitors can choose between a guided tour of the rooms or explore the exhibits on their own.
Outside, you’ll find a large plaque explaining the building’s history, a decommissioned tank, and a giant Route 66 sign, perfect for snapping that classic Mother Road souvenir selfie.
Photos of the 1903 Courthouse Museum (Pulaski County Museum) in Waynesville, Missouri
