It is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture and was the model for Department 56's Original Snow Village Courthouse.

[3] The residence of Judge William Harrington was first used to conduct court business.

The building was constructed of bricks which were made nearby on the public square.

The cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1884, accompanied by a Masonic ceremony attended by several thousand people.

[7] The McDonald Brothers of Louisville, Kentucky designed the Romanesque Revival building,[8] which was constructed by local contractor Joseph Miller of Washington, Indiana at a cost of $188,661.