The two-story Greek Revival building was built in 1831 to a design by architect Alexander Parris.

It is built mostly out of Quincy granite, although its front portico and fluted Doric columns are made of wood fashioned to look like stone.

The courthouse is set on the south side of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 6A, also known as the Old King's Highway), at the western edge of a complex housing administrative facilities of Barnstable County.

The building consists of a north-facing original rectangular two-story block, behind which a series of symmetrically-arranged wings have been built.

The temple front, including the columns, is fashioned out of wood finished to give the appearance of stone.