Hartley County was created in January 1891, and an election that year made the town of Hartley the county seat, where a frame courthouse was built on the town square. In October 1896, largely because of XIT Ranch interests, a second election moved the county seat to Channing, and the frame courthouse was dismantled, moved there, and reconstructed. In May 1905, the commissioners court approved construction of a new courthouse, with contracts awarded to Solan & Wickens, contractors, and O. G. Roquemore, architect. The 2-story building was completed in October 1906 at a cost of $10,525. Built in the Beaux Arts style, it features a triumphal arch on the front facade, a native sandstone base, and Roman Ionic paired columns. When completed, the top story contained a courtroom and two offices, while the first floor held five offices and a lobby. At the time of construction, the building had its own water well and lighting system. A vault was added to the county clerk's office in 1927, and a second vault and jury dormitories were built in 1935.