Architect Fremont D. Orff designed the building, and Ole H. Olsen of Stillwater, Minnesota was awarded the construction contract.

The previous wooden courthouse was donated to the local school district, which used it for a classroom until it was demolished in 1918.

[3] The building is faced with light brown brick and is accented with Ortonville granite trim.

During a 1983-1984 study, the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office surveyed seven counties in west central Minnesota, and noted that the courthouse was the largest turn-of-the-century building in Big Stone County and one of its best examples of large-scale Victorian architecture.

It is historically significant as one of a shrinking number of Victorian-style Minnesota courthouses, and it has served as the seat of government since it was built.