Roseau County was established in 1895, and Roseau was confirmed as the county seat soon after. In those early years, repurposed buildings worked well enough for a new county just starting.

By 1898, county commissioners saw the need for more dependable space. The county and village jointly purchased the Webster Hotel, a regular stagecoach stop, to provide offices and a jail. That building still stands today and is now Holter Floral. County business continued in the remodeled two-story wooden building that later served as a hospital, florist shop, and apartments, an example of how public buildings in small towns often took on new roles as needs changed.

As the county grew, the question of a permanent courthouse became unavoidable. Discussions over the location of the county seat surfaced more than once. In the early 1900s, Badger made a bid to become the county seat, supported by petitions and debate. Voters ultimately chose to keep county government in Roseau. Later in the mid-90s, Warroad also sought to replace Roseau as the county seat. Those efforts did not succeed.

In 1913, Roseau County voters narrowly approved the sale of bonds to build a new courthouse. Duluth architects Lignell & Loebeck were selected, and construction was completed the following year. The two-story courthouse was built of brown brick over poured concrete, with a standing-seam metal hip roof. The site was chosen on the west side of Roseau because the main school building had already been constructed on the east side.

For more than eighty years, the courthouse served as the center of county government. Deeds were recorded, court cases heard, and everyday decisions affecting county residents were made here. A small enclosed entry was added in the 1960s to improve access still retaining the original appearance.

In 1985, the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new courthouse was built in 1996 on the south edge of Roseau, with elements from the old building incorporated into the new design. Today, the old courthouse is a landmark, reflecting the civic life that shaped Roseau County.

Currently in 2026, the old courthouse is privately owned and houses several small businesses.