The second courthouse was moved a block to the south, where it continued to house a variety of public functions until demolition in 1961 to make way for a new jail and sheriff's department.

German-born architect Christ H. Tegen of Manitowoc designed the structure, and the county contracted with George Rickman & Sons of Kalamazoo, Michigan to construct the building.

The building is capped with a substantial square drum that supports an octagonal copper and stainless steel dome.

There is a large canvas landscape painting by Rohrbeck on the second floor depicting the original 1839 county courthouse.

Another canvas landscape painting by artist Franz Biberstein depicts a panoramic view of Manitowoc.