Carter County | US Courthouses

Carter County is named for Thomas Henry Carter, who was a United States Senator from Montana.

Created: February 22, 1917

County Seat:

Ekalaka 1917 – present

County Courthouse – Ekalaka

Location: 214 Park Street / South Main Street

Built: 1919 – 1920

Style: Territorial

Architect: John Link and Charles Haire of Billings

Contractor: Lantis Rickard Lumber of Ekalaka

Description: The building faces north and is a two story white colored wood frame structure. There is a one story projection at the central entrance on the north side. Above the entrance on the second story is a large window. On the center of the roof is a square cupola with smaller cupola at the top. The supervising architect was John Thompson.

Note: The cost of construction, including materials and manpower was approximately 18,000.00. The fixtures, which included office equipment and vaults were purchased from Billings Stationary & Office Company for about $1400.00. The lighting contract was with L F Bruggemann for a cost of 600.00.

See: The courthouse is one of two wood courthouses in Montana and the other wood courthouse is in Daniels County.

See: The architect, John G Link of Montana ( in association with Charles S Haire and others ) designed courthouses in Montana in Big Horn County, Custer County, Dawson County, Granite County, McCone County, Musselshell County, Richland County, Rosebud County, Sheridan County and Silver Bow County; and in Wyoming in Park County, Sheridan County and Washakie County.