Located on this site, the old red brick courthouse was born during the boom of 1899 and built to serve Williams County citizens as the capitol of their government. There criminals and bootleggers received their verdicts, ranchers sued the railroad for running over their livestock, and railroad lawyers went after some who had made off with snow fence. Emigrants were awarded naturalization papers, marriages and religious services took place, civic groups met, and elections were held. In this venerable structure, homestead rights were filed, taxes paid, coyote bounties collected, complaints made to the sheriff, and petitions presented for firebreaks, school, and new roads. During wartime, men were drafted into the armed services and ration boards oversaw distribution of scarce items. In 1944, a huge billboard erected on the courthouse grounds proudly displayed the names of all who had entered the armed services. As a result of these meaningful things, the people felt the old courthouse was really theirs, and for 55 years it served the citizens well in its intended function as three generations climbed the steps and trod the hardwood floors.