Owyhee County is named for the Hawaiian fur trappers who explored the area in 1819 and 1820.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Canyon County, Ada County and Elmore County
S – Elko County, Nevada
W – Malheur County, Oregon
Created: December 31, 1863 
County Seat:
Ruby City 1863 – 1867
Silver City 1867 – 1934
Murphy 1934 – present
County Courthouse – Murphy
Location: 20381 State Highway 78 / Idaho Street
Built: 1935 – 1936
Style: Moderne / Art Deco
Architect: Tourtellotte & Hummel of Boise
Contractor: Jepson and Lowe
Description: The building faces northeast and is a one story red-orange colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Murphy. The northeast front has a central entrance flanked by concrete trim. The roof line is flat. In the interior is the courtroom. The building houses the County District Court and County Magistrate Court of the 3rd Judicial District.
See: The architect, Tourtellotte & Hummel of Boise also designed courthouses in Gem County and Washington County.
Note: The County District Court and County Magistrate Court also sit in Homedale at the City Hall at 31 West Wyoming Street.
County Criminal Justice Center – Murphy
Location: 20381 State Hghway 78 / Hailey Street
Built: 1991 – 1992
Style: Moderne
Architect: Lombard-Conrad Architects of Boise
Contractor: The Russell Company and Wensel Construction Inc.
Description: The building faces northeast and is a one story red-orange colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Murphy along the east side of the courthouse. The northeast front has a central entrance flanked by concrete trim. The building adjoins the courthouse on the west side. The roof line is flat.
See: The 3rd Judicial District includes Adams County, Canyon County, Gem County, Payette County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1863 and Ruby City was selected as the county seat. In 1867 the county seat was moved to Silver City. The first courthouse was a two story wood frame structure built in 1866 to 1867. In 1934 the county seat was moved to Murphy. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1935 to 1936. The County Criminal Justice Center was constructed in 1991 to 1992.
County Courthouse - Murphy
Photos taken 2012 and 2015