Kandiyohi County is taken from the Dakota language meaning “where the buffalo fish come”. The fish swim upstream in the region’s rivers to spawn.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Pope County and Stearns County
E – Meeker County
S – Renville County
W – Chippewa County and Swift County
Created: March 20, 1858 
County Seat:
Willmar 1858 – present
County Courthouse – Willmar
Location: 505 Becker Avenue SW / 5th Street SW
Built: 1965 – 1966
Style: Modern
Architect: Gauger and Associates of Saint Paul
Contractor: Nelson Construction Company of Willmar
Description: The building faces north and is a three story stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Willmar. The building has a projecting folded roofline which is supported by three-story pylons, and its varied surface treatment reflect the style of many 1960s buildings. Gray, random-coursed ashlar covers the walls except for the north front of the three-story section beneath the saw-tooth roof, which is faced by smooth panels of tan stone. The pylons supporting the roof and pagoda-like canopies over the doorways are made of polished pink granite. The building is 174 feet by 68 feet. In the interior, terrazzo and metal decorate the interior public spaces, while the three County District Court courtrooms are finished in oak paneling. The building houses the County District Court of the 8th Judicial District. Originally built for two-stories, a third story was added later.
See: The 8th Judicial District includes Big Stone County, Chippewa County, Grant County, Lac Qui Parle County, Meeker County, Pope County, Renville County, Stevens County, Swift County, Traverse County, Wilkin County and Yellow Medicine County.
History: The county was created in 1858 and Kandiyohi was selected as the county seat. The county seat was moved to Willmar in 1871 when Monongalia County was merged. The first courthouse was a large white colored frame structure built in Willmar in 1870 at a cost of $2,000. The second courthouse was designed by T D Allen and built in 1890 at a cost of $30,000. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1965 to 1966 at a cost of $1,000,000.
County Courthouse – Willmar
County District Court courtroom
Picture 1890 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2007 and 2019