San Juan County is named for the San Juan River and San Juan Mountains which were named for Saint John the Evangelist.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Ouray County
E – Hinsdale County
S – La Plata County
W – Dolores County and San Miguel County
Created: January 31, 1876 
County Seat:
Silverton 1876 – present
County Courthouse – Silverton
Location: 1857 Greene Street / 15th Street
Built: 1907 – 1908
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: James Murdock
Contractor: Brown & Schepforman of Denver
Description: The building faces southwest and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the north side of the center of Silverton. The southwest and southeast sides have one story porticos supported by four columns and balcony on the second story. The roof is hipped with a dormer at the center of each side. On the center of the roof is a high square clock tower with white colored cupola at the top with gold colored dome. In the interior, there are marble floors throughout the building. The hallways converge at a fountain under the tower, which stands exposed from first story to tower. The staircase rises, then circles, one to either side, to the second story where the courtroom is located. The basement was constructed by David Ramsey. The building houses the District Court and County Court of the 6th Judicial District. In 1999 to 2003, the courthouse was restored. Behind the building is the old two story red colored brick jail which is now a museum and the Old Sheriff Residence.
Grand Imperial Hotel ( First Courthouse ) – Silverton
Location: 1219 Greene Street / 12th Street
Built: 1882 – 1883
Style: Victorian
Architect: John Griswold
Contractor: Charles S Thompson and.Dr. S H Beckwith
Description: The building faces southeast and is a three story red brick, wood and granite structure. The building is located in the center of Silverton. The building is located in the center of Silverton. The southeast front has store fronts along the first story, arched windows on the second story and dormers on the third story. The roof is mansard and flat. Originally known as the Thompson Block and as the Grand Hotel, the building was commissioned by William Sparks Thomson of New York City and Dr. S H Beckwith. The second story contained the offices for the Town of Silverton and the San Juan County serving as the first courthouse from 1889 to 1908. The building was renovated in 2015 by Hotter Construction of Durango and continues as a hotel.
Note: Dr. S H Beckwith who built the local Martha Rose Smelter was one of the contractors for the Grand Imperial Hotel..
See: The 6th Judicial District includes Archuleta County and La Plata County.
History: In 1874, La Plata County was created with Howardsville selected as the county seat. A one story log courthouse was erected by John Burrow. San Juan County was created in 1876 leaving Howardsville within San Juan County and no longer the county seat for La Plata County. Silverton was selected as the county seat. The Grand Imperial Hotel served as the first courthouse from 1889 to 1908. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1907 to 1908.
County Courthouse – Silverton
Old County Jail – Silverton
Old Sheiff Residence – Silverton
Old Grand Imperial Hotel – Silverton
Photos taken 2011