Pint-Sized Justice | A Place to be Ourselves and More | Nebraska Stories | Nebraska Public Media

The town of Arthur boasts what Ripley’s "Believe It or Not" once hailed as the world's smallest courthouse. Erected in 1914 and operational until 1961, this compact structure measures twenty-six by twenty-eight feet. Within its walls, visitors can explore an array of artifacts dating back to the 1920s. Adjacent to the courthouse stands a tiny jail, built just a year later using two by fours. Despite its modest size, the jail features two rooms and a solitary confinement cell, offering a glimpse into the town's early justice system. These historic buildings were the first government structures built in the newly formed Arthur County, officially organized in 1913.