Designed in Victorian style by architect F. E. Ruffini, the building was erected in 1886 as the first permanent county courthouse and served in that role for only four years, until 1890, when the county seat moved to Johnson City. Purchased by Chas. E. Crist, it then had a varied career as a school, Blanco National Bank, office of the "Blanco County News," opera house, Farmers' Union Hall, and hospital from 1936 to 1970. It now houses the Blanco Museum of Early West.