Pender County was formed in 1875, and the Town of Burgaw was planned and chartered in 1879 as the county seat. The 1936 courthouse is the second on the four acre square. Several famous trials were conducted here. The site hosted many film productions beginning in 1985. Notable architect William H. Deitrick designed the building in the Georgian Revival style, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.