Mendocino County is named for Antonio de Mandoza, who was a Viceroy of Spain.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Humboldt County and Trinity County
E – Tehama County, Glenn County and Lake County
S – Sonoma County
W – Pacific Ocean
Created: February 18, 1850
County Seat:
Ukiah 1850 – present
County Courthouse – Ukiah
Location: 100 North State Street / West Perkins Street
Built: 1949 – 1950
Style: Modern / Art Deco
Architect: C A Caulkins, Jr. of Santa Rosa
Contractor: Carl N Swenson
Description: The building faces east and is a four story structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Ukiah. The north and south wings project eastwards. The recessed center section has a wide set of steps leading to the entrance on the second story. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County Superior Court. On the west side is the old three story French Renaissance courthouse annex constructed in 1928. The building has limestone exterior and is connected to the courthouse on the east side.
See: The county is located in the 1st Appellate District of the Court of Appeal – San Francisco.
History: The county was created in 1850 and Ukiah was selected as the county seat. The first court was held in the Musical Hall on Main Street. In 1859, a contract was awarded to E Rathbun for $6,000 to build the first courthouse which was a brick structure completed in 1860. In 1872, the second courthouse contract was awarded A P Petit whose plans were accepted and the building was completed in 1873. The building was razed in 1950 when the third and present courthouse was constructed.
Note: A proposed new courthouse is to be constructed on East Clay Street in 2017. The architect is Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP.
Fort Bragg Justice Center – Fort Bragg
Location: 700 South Franklin Street / Cypress Street
Built: 1990 – 1991
Style: Modern
Architect: Roland / Miller / Associates
Contractor: Joe Moura Construction
Description: The building faces west and is a one story green colored structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Fort Bragg and is known as the Ten Mile Branch Courthouse or Coastal Justice Center. The west front has a wide projecting porch at the center. The building has double windows. The roof is hipped. The building houses the County Superior Court.
County Courthouse - Ukiah
County Courthouse Annex - Ukiah
Fort Bragg Justice Center – Fort Bragg
Photos taken 2015