Newton County's courthouse was preceded by one built in Burkeville in 1848 and another erected on the public square in 1853. The present building, a Second Empire style edifice with an unusual truncated clock tower, mansard roof, and corner quoins, was built in 1902-03 by contractors Martin & Moody of Comanche from brick made on nearby Caney Creek. Its interior was altered in 1910 and 1925, a jail was added in 1936, and it was restored in 1972-73.