Pipestone County is named after the sacred Dakota quarry of red pipestone found in the county and used in the making of ceremonial pipes.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Lincoln County
E – Murray County
S – Rock County
W – Moody County, South Dakota
Created: May 23, 1857 
County Seat:
Pipestone 1857 – present
County Courthouse – Pipestone
Location: 416 South Hiawatha Avenue / 3rd Street
Built: 1902 – 1903
Style: Beaux Arts
Architect: George Pass of Pass & Schippel of Mankato
Contractor: C H Peltier of Faribault
Description: The building faces north and is a three story stone and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Pipestone. The building is constructed of Sioux quatzite. At the north front is a square Renaissance tower topped by a bronze figure of Justice. The building has a raised basement and high attic with dormers. Two chimneys are offset to the left and right of the building center. In the interior, the building is finished with elaborate hard oak woodwork. The County District Court courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 5th Judicial District. On the south side is a 1975 to 1977 addition constructed of painted cinder block and connected to the courthouse by a glass walkway. The architect and contractor was The Spitznagel Partners Inc.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Pipestone County Courthouse
See: The 5th Judicial District includes Blue Earth County, Brown County, Cottonwood County, Faribault County, Jackson County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, Martin County, Murray County, Nicolett County, Nobles County, Redwood County, Rock County and Watonwan County.
History: The county was created in 1857 and Pipestone was selected as the county seat. The court business was conducted from the sheriff’s residence built in 1895 until the first and present courthouse was built at a cost of $45,175.
County Courthouse – Pipestone
County District Court courtroom
Photos taken 2007, 2017 and 2023