Walsh County was established on August 30,1881 when territorial legislation separated it from the larger Grand Forks County. It was named in honor of George H. Walsh, a prominent newspaperman and astute politician who played a crucial role in promoting the development of northeastern North Dakota.

The first settlers began arriving in the 1870s, attracted to the fertile land and the prospect of farming. The following decade the Great Northern Railway arrived, which provided easier access to markets and transportation and created a settlement boom. Grafton, a town born from the construction of the railroad, became the county seat.

The first courthouse buildings in North Dakota were either unused spaces found in existing buildings, or small, hastily constructed wood buildings. As the county seats became more established across the state, larger and more permanent courthouses were built. In the mid-1930s, Walsh County residents agreed that a new courthouse was needed. By 1938, North Dakota architect Theodore B. Wells was chosen to design a courthouse that met the needs of Walsh County and reflected its unique heritage. The result is one of the finest examples of Art Deco and Moderne architecture seen in courthouses across the Dakotas.

The building’s design is a showcase of a diverse collection of metal, stone, wood, and marble. Materials were shipped in from around the world: granite from neighboring Minnesota, limestone from Indiana, travertine from Montana, and marble from Tennessee, rosewood from Brazil, and zebra wood from Africa. During construction, which began in 1938, numerous delays in shipping the exotic materials slowed progress, but the building was finally completed in late 1940 and celebrated with a dedication the Grand Forks Herald proclaimed as one of the greatest events in Walsh County history!

This monumental courthouse is a grand example of the fine craftsmanship completed by those who found work with the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression and has been exceptionally well cared for through the years, a testament to the pride the people of Walsh County feel towards their home. In 1985, the courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legacy and cultural heritage for years to come.