Martin County Courthouse - Fairmont, Minnesota

Martin County Courthouse - Fairmont, Minnesota

In 1857 the county of Marin was organized with a population growing of settlers but when the Spirit Lake Massacre occurred a year later two thirds of the settlers fled the area which dropped the population down to just 151 people.  At this time a stockade was built which became known as Fort Fairmount.  This was placed around the existing courthouse in 1862, just in time for the Sioux uprising.

After the Indian troubles subsided, the building was used as a courthouse, church, hotel, general store, and post office.  The present day courthouse was built in 1906 on the hill above Lake Sisseton and was entered into the National Register of historic places in 1977.

The classical style construction consists of Marquette rain-drop sandstone for the first floor and the second and third stories are made of Buff-Bedford limestone.  The magnificent dome extends 58 feet above the roof and can be seen for miles!  The building stands 108 feet from the ground to the ball on the dome. 

The painted murals in the dome represent peace, wad, inspiration, generous, sentence and execution.  When you visit the building you will want to pay special attention to the woodwork, murals and the view of Lake Sisseton.  The interior is still boasting the original metalwork, marble topped counters and stained glass.

Open: Weekdays from 8 - 5.

Phone: 507-235-8585

Location: 201 Lake Ave., Fairmont, Minnesota 56031