Columbia County is named for the Columbia River, which is named after Christopher Columbus.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Wahkiakum County, Washington and Cowlitz County, Washington
E – Cowlitz County, Washington and Clark County, Washington
S – Multnomah County and Washington County
W – Clatsop County
Created: January 16, 1845 
County Seat:
Milton 1845 – 1857
Saint Helens 1857 – present
County Courthouse – Saint Helens
Location: 230 Strand Street / Plaza Square
Built: 1906 – 1907
Style: Neo-Classical Revival
Architect: Hendricks & Tobey
Contractor: Fred A. Erixon of Albany
Description: The building faces west and is a two story rock, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Saint Helens along the west bank of the Columbia River and on the east side, the building overlooks the Columbia River. Constructed with basalt lava rock, the building forms an “H” shape with porticoes on the center of the west and east sides. Each portico has four white colored columns rising to a balcony on the second story. There is a wide cornice along the roof line. On the center of the building is a large square white colored bell tower with steep roof and clock. The bell tower was added in 1911. In the interior, the County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the second story.
See: National Register of Historic Places – St Helens Downtown Historic District
County Courthouse Annex – Saint Helens
Location: 230 Strand Street / Plaza Square
Built: 1968 – 1969
Style: Modern
Architect: Ragnar C Qvale & Associates
Contractor: Teeples & Thatcher.
Description: The building faces west and is a three story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Saint Helens along the west bank of the Columbia River and on the east side, the building overlooks the Columbia River. The west side has no windows and the east side has windows with concrete vertical dividers. The roof line is flat. The building is connected to the courthouse on the south side.
History: The county was created in 1845 and Milton was selected as the county seat. The first court met in Milton in 1845 but no courthouse was built. The county seat moved to Saint Helens in 1857. The first courthouse was a small 15 foot by 20 foot structure on the Strand in 1857. The county rented office premises and in 1870 purchased a residence-store as the second courthouse. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1906 to 1907 at a cost of $29,675. In 1968 to 1969 a modern Courthouse Annex was constructed.
County Courthouse – Saint Helens
County Circuit Court courtroom
County Courthouse Annex – Saint Helens
Photos taken 2012