Henry

Formed December 13, 1834 (44^th county)

Henry County (21,946), Clinton (9,172)                

The stone Romanesque Revival courthouse was built in 1896, remodeled in 1969 and is sited on the square at Franklin, Main, Jefferson, and Washington streets.  The buildings surrounding the square are historically maintained and add to the aura.  The structure was designed by Gunn & Curtiss.  A huge gazebo is on the grounds and wooden doors lead to the inside of the building.  Missouri State Highway 13 Business is one block east of the site.  There was an 1837 courthouse previously.  Henry County was founded on December 13, 1834 from Lafayette County as the 44^th county.  Clinton has always been the county seat.  The county is named for American statesman Patrick Henry.  The county seat is named for New York Governor De Witt Clinton. 

Henry County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  One Circuit Court Judge serves Henry, Bates, and Saint Clair counties and One County Court Judge serves Henry County.  The county is in western Missouri.  Kansas City, Missouri is northwest and St. Louis, Missouri is east of the county.  The county center is in Clinton 1.5 miles North-Northeast of the city center.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Johnson, Pettis, Benton, Saint Clair, Bates, and Cass counties. 

The area of the county is 702 square miles.  It is 27 out of 115 in the state.  It ranks 51 out of 115 in population in the state.  It has a density of 31.3 persons per square mile making it 55 out of 115 in the state.  Henry County has 62.3% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is an overall rectangle.  Clinton is located near the center of the state.  Clinton is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 41.8% of the county population.