Sherwood Courthouse was the first permanent courthouse for Irion County, which was locally organized in 1889, replacing temporary housing in several buildings. The site was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ripley, the contractors were Martin and Moody, and the stone was quarried nearby. The courthouse was used for dances, teachers' institutes, and community events, while the yard was used for summer socials. The grounds were enclosed to keep out grazing stock, and the approach was by a stile over the fence beside water troughs and hitching posts for teams and saddle horses. A 1936 election made Mertzon the county seat, and the building, once the pride of the area, became a community center.