Rensselaer County is named for Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, who was the original Dutch owner of the land in the area.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
E – Bennington County, Vermont and Berkshire County, Massachusetts
S – Columbia County
W – Albany County and Saratoga County
Created: March 24, 1791 
County Seat:
Troy 1791 – present
County Courthouse – Troy
Location: 80 Second Street / Congress Street
Built: 1894 – 1898
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Marcus Cummings and Frederick Cummings of Troy
Contractor: Charles Duncan
Description: The building faces west and is a three story gray colored granite stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Troy. The west front has three large arches on the first story. Six columns rise from the second story to the top of the third story with large pediment at the roof line The roof line is flat with a balustrade running along the edge of the roof. The interior has a high rotunda with stain glass ceiling at the center. An addition was added in 1915 on the south side. In 1965 to 1967, a further addition was constructed on the east side. The building was restored in 1996 to 2000. The architect was John G Waite.
See: The Judicial District 3 is located at Castleton-On-Hudson.
County Courthouse Annex – Troy
Location: 86 Second Street / Ferry Street
Built: 1830 – 1833
Style: Renaissance Revival
Architect: Farquhar Mcrae.
Contractor: Farquhar Mcrae.
Description: The building faces west and is a two story cream colored stone structure. The building is located on the south side of the courthouse in the center of Troy. Originally built as the Second Street Presbyterian Church, the building was remodeled in 1913 as the Courthouse Annex. The windows on are arched. At the southwest corner is a high square tower with clock. The interior has a large two story courtroom. When converted in 1911 to 1913, the architect was William H Demers and Thomas R Campaign. The building was connected to the courthouse in 1915.
County Courthouse Annex – Troy
Location: 8** Third Street / Congress Street
Built: 1965 – 1967
Style: Modern
Architect: Harrison & Moro
Contractor: Corina Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a two story cream colored concrete and stone structure. The building is located on the east side of the courthouse in the center of Troy. The building is a rectangular shape and has vertical concrete dividers between the windows. There is a stone base and the roof line is flat. The building is named as the Frank J Merola Building.
County Courthouse – Troy
County Courthouse Annex – Troy
County Courthouse Annex – Troy
Photos taken 2006 and 2014