It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and is a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource.

The renovation project began in 2005 to deal with the structural issues, restore the rotunda, added a new stairwell and elevator, and it addressed cosmetic concerns such as repainting interior spaces in their original color schemes and installing new light fixtures to match the wrought iron of the Grand Stair Case.

George Bird, who is considered the primary designer, used the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau in Indre-et-Loire, France, as his inspiration.

Elements of the French Renaissance style are found in the ornately carved dormers and the round corner towers capped with conical roofs.

It features walkways, a lawn, trees, benches, floral plantings, and monuments to the United States Armed Forces.