Hampden County is named for John Hampden, who was a famous 17th century English parliamentarian.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Hampshire County
E – Worcester County
S – Tolland County, Connectiicut, Hartford County, Connecticut and Litchfield County, Connecticut
W – Berkshire County
Created: February 25, 1812 
County Seat:
Springfield 1812 – present
County Courthouse – Springfield
Location: 80 State Street / Main Street
Built: 1871 – 1874
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
Architect: Henry Hobson Richardson
Contractor: Norcross Brothers
Description: The building faces northwest and is a three story gray colored stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Springfield. The building is an “I” shape and is constructed of Monson granite in rough-faced random ashlar masonry, with smooth-faced trim. The northwest front has three large arches on the first story with recessed entrance. A high six story tower rises above the entrance with smaller arched section at the top. On the corners are projecting balconies on the second story. Along the roof line are castle like walls. The building was remodeled from 1908 to 1912. The architect was Sheply, Rutan & Coolidge.
County Hall of Justice – Springfield
Location: 50 State Street / Columbia Avenue
Built: 1971 – 1974
Style: Modern
Architect: Eduardo Catalano
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a four story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Springfield on the south side of the courthouse. The northeast side has a raised plaza with recessed first story and central entrance. The second story is also recessed. The third and fourth stories has small horizontal windows and the lower stories have large horizontal windows. The roof line is flat with two rectangular towers rising on the northeast side. The building is named as the Roderick L Ireland courthouse/
History: The county was created in 1812 and Springfield was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a one story frame structure built in 1740 prior to the creation of the county. The second courthouse was a two story structure built in 1821 to 1822. The third courthouse was built in 1871 to 1874 at a cost of $214,068. The Hall of Justice was constructed in 1971 to 1974 at a cost of $17,000,000.
Other Branch Courthouses
Chicopee / Holyoke / Palmer / Westfield
County Courthouse – Springfield
County Hall of Justice – Springfield
Photos taken 2014