It is a Greek Revival structure originally built in 1849–1850 by John McMurtry according to the designs of Thomas Lewinski, the two of whom were some of the most prominent architects in central Kentucky during the nineteenth century.

Although he had no further architectural training aside from his employment under Shryock, McMurtry himself designed and constructed the Clark County Courthouse in Winchester, the Transylvania Dormitory and Medical Hall in Lexington, and the Kentucky Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in Danville, among numerous other commissions.

Lewinski's original design called for a cruciform-plan, south-facing two-story structure, which employed a monumental portico supported by four stout Roman Doric columns.

Above the central block and in line with the two wings rises a tall octagonal cupola, with four clock faces located respectively on each of the cardinal sides, just above its base.

The portico sports a thin two-banded architrave and above that a prominent yet severe frieze of triglyphs separated by bare metopes; an additional bay is allotted for the central intercolumniation.

Among other changes, the remodeling of the interior included the installation of an impressive bronze and marble double staircase inside the main vestibule that still provides access to the courtroom on the second level.

On the exterior, a projecting bay of an added staircase partially hides the pediment and destroys the symmetry originally present on the north façade opposite the portico.