Route 66 Courthouse Hidden in Plain Sight?

ROUTE 66 COURTHOUSE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT? 303 Historic Route 66: Located on the back side of the Pulaski County Courthouse Museum. On the evening of June 3, 1903, a lightning strike hit the Pulaski County Courthouse. The ensuing fire destroyed the building. By his quick thinking, County Clerk Edward G. Williams was able to rescue many of the county documents and records. In July 1903, State Architect Henry H. Hohenschild, contractor Edward Long, and builder William Mitchell — all from Rolla, MO, and all Freemasons — began construction of the new courthouse. Above the front door at the attic level is what is described as a shield, which is also replicated on the back side of the building. The shield may be construed to consist of a square, a level, an oblong square, and a plumb. There is no official cornerstone, and whether Williams or any of the three county commissioners — George W. Berry, John B. Harvey, and Jesse M. Curtis — were Freemasons or knew of what may have been Masonic emblems hidden in plain sight is unknown. An image of the shield was submitted to the officers of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Opinions were mixed as to whether it might have Masonic significance.