Courthouse was designed with many elements of the Georgian Revival style including symmetry, rectangular plan with only minor protrusions, small window panes, arched topped windows (divided as a fan light), classically detailed cornice and balustrade, and red brick exterior.

There are also elements of the Second Renaissance Revival style, such as the rusticated first story (performed in brick), a raised first floor with stone base, the lack of front door ornamentation, second level door height casement windows, and wrought iron window ornamentation.

Jacksonville, the county seat and the most important town in this portion of the state, was naturally supposed to be the next station on the railroad.

The railroad asked Jacksonville for a $25,000 bonus (reportedly to compensate for the difficulties in passing over the Applegate Ridge of mountains), but the city refused.

Due to the rail stop in the center of the rich agricultural/orchard producing Rogue River Valley, the town grew rapidly and by 1890 Medford housed 1,791 residents.

On October 2, 1910, the Medford Daily Tribune reported that "No better criterion of city's growth can be named than its postal receipts."

The building was to replace the previous temporary postal facilities (three prior locations) and to provide a U.S. District Court presence in a high-quality, non-combustible structure.

Noll as Chief Architect, designed a major addition on the north side of the building, and significant interior remodelling for a cost of $230,000.

The design included a two-story light-well which retained natural light for the courtroom and (by skylight) the interior of the postal workroom.

The population and tourism of the Rogue River Valley, including historic towns of Jacksonville and Ashland, are growing rapidly.

The nearly level, undeveloped site was selected from among several offered as donations from the local citizens, in part due to its location a short distance from the railroad station to the east.

The remaining portions of the site were landscaped with planting beds and seeded grass areas separated by concrete curbing.

The first story, which is detailed in red brick and follows the organization above, is elevated and defined by a sandstone water table course.

At the five central arch openings on the second story, there are Renaissance style wood and glass paired doors with operable transoms.

The first story had five large glazed rectangular openings in the rusticated brick which provided north light to the postal workroom.

The original ceremonial steps were replaced by dual side stairs leading to a common entry landing.

The addition retained much of the original north elevation by creating a new light-well on the center third, and by incorporating the remaining wall within the new construction.

A new concrete block (with cement plaster exterior finish) rooftop penthouse over the main stair replaced the 1916 structure at this time, and the low sloped, built-up roof construction was continued onto the addition.

Notable alterations include the replacement of the two outer entry doors with double hung windows (and later reversal); revisions to the wall at the loading dock and a new ramp; removal of the fire escape; site paving and planting changes; and the removal of the original parapet balustrade, which was replaced with solid stone panels similar to the 1940 addition.

[4] An essential element to the building's facade and integrity is its (almost complete) set of original functioning wood windows (which were recently abated).

There was a short lobby extension from the stair northward to provide additional postal windows and give access to the postmaster's office at the northwest corner of the floor.

Although it was a construction alternate, the lobby was finished with light colored terrazzo with marble divisions and borders at the floor and wall base.

The walls had stained wood wainscoting, postal windows, grills, and door casings with painted plaster above.

The original traction elevator had a steel grill enclosure and metal hoist way entrance doors with wire glass relights.

Upper lobbies were centered axially on the stair and elevator which allowed a row of offices along the south wall.

This courtroom was finished modestly with wall coverings, smooth painted plaster, and stained wood mouldings and furnishings.

A small light-well was created at the upper levels to preserve natural lighting for the courtroom through its three large windows and to the postal workroom below was lit through skylights.

The new terrazzo, which replaced the original at the lobby and was used for the corridor extensions on the upper floors, was a substantially different mix design.

At that time the first floor lobby was removed, the stair enclosed, and the postal workroom converted to office space.

Other recent changes include the addition of suspended ceilings, fluorescent lighting, HVAC, an interior exit stair at the northeast corner, elevator modifications.