The first Harvey County Courthouse on this site was a three-story red brick structure in the modified Romanesque Revival style dominated by a tall clock tower. Bedford stone highlighted the exterior, with marble lining the interior hallways. J.C. Holland and Squires of Topeka were the architects, and Crosby and Son of Kansas City, Missouri, were the contractors. Groundbreaking was June 20, 1906, and on September 11 an elaborate ceremony was held for the laying of the cornerstone. The building cost $47,701 and was called "a testimonial to Little Harvey's progressiveness and spirit." Each office had a fireplace, natural gas, electricity, and telephone. P.J. Galle presided over the first court session on November 6, 1907. In 1966 the building was razed, and its marble and stone can be seen on two local trail markers.