 Architects Kinney & Detweiler of Minneapolis drew up plans for a Beaux-Arts-style building, square in shape, to be constructed out of red sandstone and bricks from a local brickyard.A bid of $39,975 from Schmidt Bros. was accepted on May 24, 1902, with the understanding that the courthouse would be ready for occupancy by December 1.While construction was underway, O. M. Jellestad spent thirteen nights at the old building guarding the auditor's and treasurer's records after the vault doors were removed to new courthouse.