Built in 1930 and 1931 by the Chicago firm Holabird & Root, the Art Deco-styled building stands eleven stories tall and dominates the city's skyline.

"[8][9] Before it was removed in 1877, this building was moved into the middle of the square so that construction on a replacement could begin on the same site.

County officials proposed a replacement in 1911, which would have been designed by Bell, Tyrie & Chapman and occupied the same site, but this plan was controversial and was blocked by state statute in 1914.

[1] The courthouse was one of three major civic construction projects that took place between 1930 and 1931, alongside Racine's new City Hall and a new post office.

[1][16] The relief sculptures on the building's walls were created by Carl Milles, in his first American commission.