Pueblo County Court House—built in 1872

Entirely paid for when it was completed, this court house replaced the small one on Santa Fe Ave that had been in use since 1862. Situated at 10th & Main, on the same block as today’s court house, it served the county until the present larger building was put up in 1908.

This 1872 court house was built without cost to the taxpayers at a cost of $20,000, most of which came from the sale of town lots in a quarter section preempted by the county authorities.

The court house doubled as a public meeting place as well as a court building. Numerous social affairs were held there as it had comfortable chairs in its auditorium, stage lights, and everything needed. Several church congregations used this new court house until their sanctuaries were built.

(Note the smaller stone building behind the tree at the rear of the court house. This was the county jail. When the present court house was built, the jail was dismantled and moved to the County Farm, which was being developed east of town on County Farm Road. There it was used as a hospital for County Farm residents.)