90th anniversary of the rebuilding of the Butler County courthouse after devastating Poplar Bluff tornado

The following article is reprinted from the Thursday, May 29, 1929 edition of the The Poplar Bluff Republican. Final touches were placed on the new court house building yesterday and today with erection of the two electric light standards at the sides of each of the four entrances. These beautiful granite standards were placed in position and wired by the City Light Plant force and the two Main street side lights were turned on last night. They are very beautiful and lend attraction to the fine building. County Highway Engineer Scarborough, who has been in charge of work of removing surplus dirt from the court yard, has succeeded in taking most of the surplus off with only $200 which was made available by the Chamber of Commerce and county court each subscribing $100. Before he started this job, contractors estimated the cost of improving the yard would be around $4,500. It is believed that with $1,000 to spend, the yard could be completed, sodded and flowers planted at different places. With the lights erected at front doors, and the yard smoothed off in the manner that Scarborough has directed, the county courts building is much more attractive.