The Madison County Courthouse in the small county seat of Fredericktown, Missouri (population 3,950) was built in 1899 by St. Louis architect Theodore Link. The preservation of the Courthouse is a demonstration of the capability of residents of even small counties and towns to mount a major capital undertaking. Led by the local Foundation for Historic Preservation, a 1/2 cent capital improvements proposal was presented to the voters in 1988 for the restoration of the courthouse. It passed by a 2 to 1 margin. The restoration was completed in 1992 at a cost of over 2 million dollars.