The following is re-printed with permission of the author, Barbara A. Menear. It first appeared in Hearsay, the e-newsletter of the Genesee County Circuit and Probate Courts. 

The Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory recognized Genesee County as a governmental entity in 1835. The land currently occupied by the Genesee County Courthouse has been the site of the center of justice for the county since 1838.

A two-acre parcel of land, originally owned by early settler John Todd, was deeded to the county by Wait Beach. The land was to be used for a courthouse and public square. The first courthouse was built in 1838, a solid log structure serving as the courthouse and jail. It was very typical for a courthouse and jail to be adjacent during this period.

A second courthouse was built in 1839 (see above, right) and destroyed by fire in 1866.

A third courthouse was constructed in 1867 (pictured right), at a cost of $50,000, and it remained in use until 1903.

In 1904 an impressive domed courthouse was built. It was destroyed by fire in 1920. After a few years of debate, the 1926 courthouse was constructed and still stands. It is one of a few neo-classical revival county buildings in Michigan.

Frederick D. Madison of Royal Oak was the architect. In 1930, a jail was designed by the same architect that closely matched. It was located on the corner of Beach and Court Street. The 1926 courthouse was completed in 16 months at a cost of $710,000.

A Courthouse Square project was undertaken by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners beginning in 1997, which started the next phase of history when the addition to the 1926 courthouse was undertaken. At the same time, the historic Genesee County Courthouse was restored. The “new side” of the courthouse was completed in 2001, with a formal public grand opening on July 10, 2001.

The footprint of the courthouse nearly doubled with the addition. It required the implosion of the McAvinchey Building, the former location of the Probate Court. It was located on the corner of Beach and 5th Street. The 1930 jail was also imploded to make way for the addition. The jail had been closed by federal court order due to outdated conditions and already replaced by the existing jail. It was located on the corner of Beach and Court Street.

With the implosion of both structures, the deeded land was once again returned to the original use and anchor tenant, the Genesee County Courthouse.

A side note: Until the Genesee County Administration was built in 1969, most county offices were in the 1926 Courthouse, including the auditorium for the governing body known as the Genesee County Board of Supervisors. The meeting room was on the 5th floor, spanning the width of the building which now encompasses a courtroom and parts of two judicial offices.

Editor’s Note: The 1926 courthouse will celebrate its Centennial birthday in next year!