A grand jury indicted the county commissioners in 1869 for official misconduct since the courthouse did not have fireproof storage for the registry of deeds and the safekeeping of public records.

The facades were built of light gray Monson granite in rough-faced random ashlar masonry, with smooth-faced trim.

[2] In his 1972 treatise on Springfield history, Town Into City, Dr. Michael Frisch, professor of American Studies at University at Albany, described the structure as "the single most impressive building of the period [1840 to 1880], well symboliz[ing] Springfield's new importance in the life and economy of its region".

This was designed by Richardson's successor firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

The sloping roof and high dormers were eliminated in the remodeling, making it difficult to visualize some parts of Richardson's original design.