2020 “Year of Celebration” Commission proclaims of Lawrence County’s 175th

 Lawrence County Commission has officially kicked off the county’s 175th birthday with a proclamation declaring 2020 as a “year of celebration.” Presiding Commissioner Bob Senninger, Eastern Commissioner Tim Selvey and Western Commissioner David Botts signed the document in a brief ceremony Feb. 6 in the Historic Courthouse.
To mark the occasion, Dennis Harter climbed to the clock tower and rang the 120-year-old courthouse bell.
The commission has invited Governor Mike Parson to take part in a formal commemoration of the 175th at the Historic Courthouse. The date will be determined by the Governor’s availability.
Organizations and businesses are encouraged to hold additional celebrations throughout the year.
Lawrence County came into being with an Act of the Missouri Legislature on Feb. 14, 1845. Its boundaries and name had been established by a legislative act two years earlier.
The Legislature first appointed a county court (now known as county commission) and sheriff, and their first meeting was held April 7, 1845, at the Robert B. Taylor home northeast of Mt. Vernon.
Over the weeks and months that followed, the county court would appoint other officeholders, establish a county seat, set up taxing authority and election sites, sell lots in the county seat and build a jail and courthouse.