Torrance County is named after Francis J Torrance, who was a promoter who took part in the building of the New Mexico central Railroad and who established a town named after himself.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Santa Fe County and San Miguel County
E – Guadalupe County
S – Lincoln County and Socorro County
W – Socorro County, Valencia County and Bernalillio County
Created: March 16, 1903 
County Seat:
Progresso 1903 – 1905
Estancia 1905 – present
County Courthouse – Estancia
Location: 205 9th Street / Allen Street
Built: 1966 – 1967
Style: Modern
Architect: Kruger, Lake & Henderson
Contractor: G W Stuckman.
Description: The building faces east and is a one story glass, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Estancia. The east front has a glass wall with the entrance foyer inside. The center section rises higher than the rest of the building, has large windows on the east side and has a wide concrete band around the flat roof line. On the north and south are low cut stone faced wings. The interior lobby has murals on the wall. The building houses the District Court of the 7th Judicial District.
County Judicial Complex – Estancia
Location: 905 5th Street
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a one story white colored concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Estancia. The east front has a central entrance with glass panels and canopy. The roof line is flat. The building houses the District Court of the 7th Judicial District.
Note: When the Territorial Legislature fixed the boundary of Torrance County, Progresso was named the County Seat. The first County election was held in November, 1904, time for the official organization of Torrance County grew near, but one question remained. Where were the newly elected officials to meet? Progresso was the only railroad siding, but it had no building. The Santa Fe Central Railroad came to the rescue and sent a special train to Progresso on Sunday, January 1, 1905. On Monday, January 2, 1905, the newly elected officials took the oath of office in a passenger car which served as a court house. In February, 1905, Estancia was made the County Seat.
See: The 7th Judicial District includes Catron County, Sierra County and Socorro County.
History: The county was created in 1903 and Progresso was designated as the county seat. The first courthouse was a railroad passenger car. In 1905, the county seat was moved to Estancia. The second courthouse was occupied but burned in July 1910. The third courthouse, a two story red colored brick structure was built by August Reingardt in 1910. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1966 to 1967.
County Courthouse - Estancia
Photos taken 2007