Dawson County is named for Andrew Dawson, who was a trapping official and a major in the United States Army.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – McCone County and Richland County
E – Richland County and Wibaux County
S – Wibaux County and Prairie County
W – Prairie County and McCone County
Created: January 15, 1869 
County Seat:
Glendive 1870 – present
County Courthouse – Glendive
Location: 207 West Bell Street / South Kendrick Avenue
Built: 1961 – 1962
Style: Modern
Architect: J G Link & Company
Contractor: Sterhan Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a one and two story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Glendive. The central entrance is recessed with glass walls. The west section is two stories with red colored brick on the northwest corner. The windows are horizontal. The building has a flat roof. In the interior is a large entrance hall with murals. The County District Court courtroom is located on the east side and the small County Justice Court courtroom is located on the south side. In the basement at the north center is the Commissioner’s Meeting Room. The building contains the County District Court of the 7th Judicial District and the County Justice Court. The building was renovated in 2012 with an addition added. The architect was Schutz Foss Architects of Billings and the contractor was Oswood Construction Company of Great Falls. Behind the building is the old buff colored brick County Jail.
See: The architect, John G Link of Montana ( in association with Charles S Haire and others ) designed courthouses in Montana in Big Horn County, Carter County, Custer County, Granite County, McCone County, Musselshell County, Richland County, Rosebud County, Sheridan County and Silver Bow County; in Oregon in Jackson County and in Wyoming in Park County, Sheridan County and Washakie County.
See: The 7th Judicial District includes Dawson County, McCone County, Prairie County, Richland County and Wibaux County.
History: The county was created in 1869 and Glendive was selected as the county seat in 1870. The county rented offices premises until the first courthouse was built by W S Hurst in 1883. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1961 to 1962.
County Courthouse – Glendive
County District Court courtroom
County Justice Court courtroom
Old County Jail – Glendive
Photos taken 2009, 2012 and 2022