From Goodspeed
"In 1873 the first court-house at Powhatan, a large two-story brick structure, with offices below and a court-room above, was completed by Thornton & Jones, of Little Rock, at a cost of between $16,000 and $17,000, although some sources later claimed its value was much higher. It was destroyed by fire in the month of March, 1885, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. The records, however, which were in a vault that had been attached to the building after its original construction, were saved in good condition."
B.F. Matthews was the commissioner appointed to oversee construction.1
Powhatan Courthouse Fire, 3-21-1885.pdf
courthouse burned.pdfcourthouse fire.pdf
first courthouse contractor.pdf
1. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) · Wed, May 29, 1872 · Page 1 proposals for first courthouse.pdf
