Malheur County is named for the Malheur River, which was called the Riviere au Malheur or “Unfortunate River” by French-Canadian trappers whose property and furs were stolen from their river encampment.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Baker County
E – Washington County, Idaho, Payette County, Idaho, Canyon County, Idaho and Owyhee County, Idaho
S – Humboldt County, Nevada
W – Harney County and Grant County
Created: February 17, 1887 
County Seat:
Vale 1887 – present
County Courthouse – Vale
Location: 251 B Street West / Court Street South
Built: 1957 – 1958
Style: Modern
Architect: Roald.Schmeer & Harrington of Portland
Contractor: McCormack Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a two story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Vale. The center section projects from the main building and is supported by six pillars on the first story with the entrance being recessed. The east and west wings have green -blue colred panels above and below the windows. The roof line is flat.The building houses the County Circuit of the 9th Judicial District and County Court.
See: The County Justice Court is located in Ontario at 1178 SW 4th Street and SW 14th Avenue..
History: The county was created in 1887 and Vale was designated as the county seat. The county seat is Vale. The first county courthouse was built in 1887 at a cost of $1,400. The second courthouse was a two story sandstone structure built by James Pattent and Edward Warner in 1902 at a cost of $10,000. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1957 to 1958.
County Courthouse – Vale
Picture 1902 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2009