The Moniteau County Courthouse Square is uniquely intact, reflecting its pioneer town commercial center.
The courthouse in the center is reminiscent of the second Capitol building's architecture, even with alterations and enlargements made in 1888-1890. And the commercial buildings surrounding it on all four sides employed the same materials of local stone, brick, cast iron and wood.
"The survival of the original context enhances the significance of the building as an example of an outstate, central Missouri county courthouse, set in a typical early 19th century courthouse square town plan," the nomination said.
The California commercial development diverged from typical growth. Rather than business growth around the square, businesses located seven blocks south at the axis connecting with the Missouri Pacific Railroad line.
The present courthouse is the second for the county. The 1867 construction replaced a 20-year-old structure which sat on the same site, until sold at auction to H.C. Finke.
Architect William Vogdt was superintendent of the construction, which included C.R. Underwood among the contractors. The Classic Revival style covers about 525-square-feet.
The Cole County Court established the Moniteau Township with Isaiah Stephens as its first officer in April 1821.
Moniteau County was then organized in February 1845, named with the Algonquin word for "spirit."
The county seat was originally named Boonsborough, when it was laid out in 1845 on a 50-acre tract donated by A.T. Byer and wife. Boonsborough was located one mile west of an older town named California. However, when the post office relocated, the present site became California.