As the capitol of the former Alta California, the county seat was established initially at Monterey.

[2]: 82, 120 In Salinas, the county board of supervisors purchased a two-story wooden building on Main Street to serve as the court house on February 8, 1873; they paid Henry Myers US$7,500 (equivalent to $190,000 in 2023).

[5]: 306  It was replaced by "a splendid two-story brick court house with centre cupola", accepted on March 13, 1879.

The 1879 courthouse was designed by L. Goodrich and constructed by Jacob Lanjen (or Lenzen), with the total cost being approximately US$80,000 (equivalent to $2,620,000 in 2023).

[7] The building's decorative elements and fountain in the center of the courtyard were designed by Jo Mora.