Formerly designated simply as the United States Courthouse, it was renamed for the late District Judge Santiago E. Campos in 2004.

Young, perhaps based on sketches by Chief Justice Joab Houghton, a member of the U.S. Territorial Supreme Court for New Mexico.

Construction continued intermittently due to limited funding, lack of competent workmen, and difficulties imposed by the Civil War.

[3] As the needs of the courts exceeded the building's capacity, an addition was planned that echoed the original Greek Revival style.

The Greek Revival style of the original design with prominent pediment and porticos is characteristic of the work of Ammi B.

However, other elements of the design including the roof and second-story window treatments have a character more reminiscent of the Renaissance Revival architectural style of the late 1880s.

A semicircular projecting bay on the vestibule's east elevation encloses an elegant, interlocking cantilevered stairway.

The second-story windows are arched with elegant cut-stone moldings in the original building and rubble stone detailing in the addition.

[3] In an 1884 ceremony attended by about 5,000 people, a sandstone obelisk erected by the Grand Army of the Republic was unveiled at the main entrance of the building.

The large bronze doors at the main entrance, which had become blackened over the years, were thoroughly cleaned and polished, returning them to their former brilliance.

The completed project was recognized with a 2002 "Muchas Gracias" historic preservation award from the City of Santa Fe.