Saint Mary’s County is named for the Virgin Mary and was the first county in the colony intended to be a haven for Catholics.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Charles County and Calvert County
E – Calvert County and Dorchester County
S – Northumberland County, Virginia and Westmoreland County, Virginia
W – Charles County
Created: January 24, 1637 
County Seat:
St. Mary’s City 1637 – 1708
Seymour Town (Newtown) 1708 – 1728
Leonardtown 1728 – present
County Courthouse – Leonardtown
Location: 41605 Court House Drive / Washington Street
Built: 1901 – 1902
Style: Colonial Revival
Architect: B F Smith Construction Company
Contractor: B F Smith Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a two story red colored brick and stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Leonardtown. The north front has a large portico with four tall white colored columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. The recessed entrance is arched with a white colored frame. A narrow horizontal belt runs below the second story windows. The roof is hipped. The building was remodeled in 1956 and 1957. The architect was Frederick Tilp and the contractor was Merviell M Dean. On the south side is a modern three story red colored brick addition. Located on the grounds is the Old Stone Jail.
See: The 7th Judicial Circuit includes Calvert County, Charles County and Prince George’s County.
County District Court Courthouse – Leonardtown
Location: 23110 Leonard Hall Drive / Hollywood Road
Built: 1988 – 1990
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces west and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Leonardtown. The west front has a central entrance on the second story with two large columns and glass panels. Above is a red colored brick gable at the roof line. The windows are horizontal. The land slopes to the north exposing the first story. The roof is hipped.
History: The county was created in 1637 and St. Mary’s City was selected as the county seat. In 1638 the first court met at the residence of John Lewger in St. John’s. In 1654 the residence of John Hammond was used. In 1695, the Maryland State House in St. Mary’s City served as the first courthouse. In 1708, Seymour Town (Newtown) was selected as the county seat and the second courthouse, a log structure was built. In 1728, Seymour Town (Newtown) became Leonardtown. The third courthouse was a brick structure built in 1736. The courthouse burned in 1831 and the fourth courthouse was built. The fifth courthouse was constructed by in 1901 and remodeled in 1956 to 1957. The County District Court Courthouse was constructed in 1988 to 1990.
County Courthouse - Leonardtown
Courthouse Addition
County District Court Courthouse - Leonardtown
Photos taken 2013