[1] Following significant population growth, largely associated with their development as residential suburbs of Glasgow, Crosshill in Renfrewshire and Govanhill in Lanarkshire became police burghs in 1871 and 1877 respectively.

The burgh leaders selected a site on Cathcart Road which was located on the border between the counties of Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire.

[3] The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage of five bays facing the corner of what is now Dixon Avenue and Cathcart Road.

The two courtrooms, both of which had their own external access, were located in their respective counties in accordance with the legislative requirements in place at the time.

[4][5][6] Shortly after it opened, the building was renamed Dixon Halls, in honour of the businessman who had provided the funding.