Manistee County is named for the Manistee River, which derived its name from the Ojibwe name “ministigweyaa” meaning “river at whose mouth there are islands”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Benzie County
E – Wexford County
S – Lake County and Mason County
W – Lake Michigan
Created: April 1, 1840 
County Seat:
Manistee 1855 – present
County Courthouse – Manistee
Location: 415 3rd Street / Oak Street
Built: 1951 – 1952
Style: Modern
Architect: J & G Daverman of Grand Rapids
Contractor: Elzinga & Volkers, Inc. of Holland
Description: The building faces north and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The northeast corner has seven high square concrete pillars supporting the over hang. The exterior of the building has Indians limestone trim The north side windows are framed with concrete facing. The third story courtroom has natural birch wood and a black colored marble wall behind the judge’s bench.
See: The 19th Judicial District includes Benzie County.
Note: The previous courthouse was designed by Watkins & Hidden of Bay City and constructed by Fry & Washer of Grand Rapids in 1876 to 1878 for a cost of $40,000. The building burned on February 23, 1950. A temporary courthouse was established at the corner of First Street and Hancock Street until the present courthouse was constructed. The cost of construction was $370,000.
County Administration Building – Manistee
Location: 415 3rd Street / Oak Street
Built: 2002 – 2003
Style: Modern
Architect: Kendra C Thompson Architects PC
Contractor: Structural Specialties, Incorporated
Description: The building faces south and is a one story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building adjoins the courthouse on the west side. The roof line is flat.
See: Michigan’s County Courthouses by John Fedynsky
County Courthouse - Manistee
Photos taken 2008