History of CCSD
The History of Caldwell County
&
the Caldwell Co. Sheriff's Department
Caldwell County, Missouri was established on December 29, 1836, after Alexander Doniphan introduced a bill into legislature that proposed creating a designated area for Mormons to safely relocate. Mr. Doniphan was credited for naming the county of Caldwell. However, the inspiration behind the name has been attributed to two different individuals known by Mr. Doniphan: Captain Matthew Caldwell and Colonel John Caldwell, both prestigious military men. Caldwell County, MO shares its name with counties in Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.
Caldwell County is located in the northwest portion of Missouri and is surrounded by Daviess County, Livingston County, Carroll County, Ray County, Clinton County, and DeKalb County. The county is 18 miles in distance from its northern border to southern border and 24 miles from its eastern border to western border, covering a total area of 432 square miles. There are numerous towns and communities spread across the county that are home to approximately 9,000 residents. Located within the borders of the county you will find Braymer, Breckenridge, Cowgill, Hamilton, Kidder, Kingston, Polo, Far West, Black Oak, Bonanza, Catawba, Gould Farm, Mirabile, Nettleton and Proctorville. It is split into twelve townships: Breckenridge, Davis, Fairview, Gomer, Grant, Hamilton, Kidder, Kingston, Lincoln, Mirabile, New York and Rockford.
1917 Caldwell County Map
Far West was designated as the original county seat. However, in 1843, George Dunn, John Austin and Milford Donaho were commissioned to select a more centralized location for the county seat. In the spring of 1843 Kingston was selected as the new county seat. Kingston was named after Judge James King of Richmond, Missouri. There are some sources that state he later became the Governor of Missouri; however, it was Austin Augustus King who became the 10th Governor of Missouri.
Caldwell County's first courthouse was a simple log cabin in 1843. A second courthouse was built in 1847 and the third, which was a two-story brick building, was built in 1854. The third courthouse was destroyed in a fire on April 19, 1960, which destroyed all records and documents. A fourth courthouse was built in 1861 and unfortunately this courthouse was destroyed by another fire on November 28, 1896. The fifth courthouse, and the courthouse that is still in use today, was completed in December 1898. This courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1854 Caldwell Co. Courthouse
Current Courthouse
The first jail was completed in November 1869 and is located just a few yards from the northeast corner of the courthouse. It not only served as a jail, but at times also served as living quarters for the Sheriff. The county used the original jail for housing inmates until September 2004 when construction was finalized on the new Caldwell County Detention Center located at 280 W. Main Street, Kingston, MO.
Jail & Sheriff's residence built in 1869
Caldwell Co. Detention Center built in 2004
The office of the sheriff was first created in Missouri with an act passed by the General Assembly of the Territory of Missouri on July 29, 1813. The act stated that "There shall be appointed and commissioned by the Governor a sheriff in each county in this territory, who shall hold his office for the term of two years, unless sooner removed, who shall before he enters on the duties of his office take the oaths to support the Constitution of the United States and faithfully to discharge the duties of his office." A sheriff was not elected to office until the first Missouri Constitution was adopted on July 19, 1820. The standard set by the initial constitution carried over with the second and third constitutions adopted by Missouri. The only difference being in the years of eligibility, which were rarely adhered to. For example, Missouri Constitution of 1820 stated, "shall serve for two years and until a successor be duly appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed for misdemeanor in office and shall be ineligible four years in any period of eight". Article IX, section 10 of the Missouri Constitution of 1875 stated, "They shall serve for two years, and until their successors be duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed for malfeasance in office, and shall be eligible only four years in any period of six." On November 6, 1906, an amendment was adopted to change section10 to: "They shall serve for four years and until their successors be duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed for malfeasance in office. Before entering on the duties of their office, they shall give security in the amount and in such manner as shall be prescribed by law and shall be eligible only four years in any one period." The terms were set at four years and all other aspects that govern the office of sheriff were passed from the constitution to statute with our current Missouri Constitution which was ratified on February 27, 1945. This removed the limitations on the number of terms a sheriff could serve.
There have been many who have been called to serve Caldwell County in various offices throughout its history, and we are thankful to each and every one of them. Below are of those who have served as Sheriff of Caldwell County.
$200 Reward Order from 1854
The information above was compiled from various sources such as the Manual of the State of Missouri, Missouri State Archives, Missouri Digital Heritage, and the Caldwell County Historical Society. If we have missed someone, misspelled a name, or have misrepresented the history, please let us know. Historical records have been scarce and not totally accurate.
Updated May 12, 2025
