Pepin County is named for Pierre Pepin and Jean Pepin, of Chardon, who were explorers of the region.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Pierce County and Dunn County
E – Eau Claire County and Buffalo County
S – Buffalo County and Wabasha County, Minnesota
W – Goodhue County, Minnesota and Pierce County
Created: February 25, 1858 
County Seat:
Pepin 1858 – 1861
Durand 1861 – 1886
Arkansaw 1881 – 1886
Durand 1886 – present
County Courthouse – Durand
Location: 740 7th Avenue West / Oakwood Avenue
Built: 1950 – 1951
Style: Modern
Architect: Joseph Durran
Contractor: Viking Construction of Minneapolis
Description: The building faces west and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building was remodeled in 1983 after it was used as a hospital and nursing home. The building sits on spacious landscaped grounds at the top of a hill to the south of the center of Durand. Along the west side are two porticos at the two entrances. The roof line is flat. In the interior, the courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial Circuit. The building is names as the Pepin County Government Center.
Note: The building was sold to the City of Durand in 1971 and in 1972 and Pepin County purchased a 30 percent interest in the property. The hospital continued to operate until the early 1980s. In 1983, the City of Durand deeded interests in the former hospital to the county for the new government center which opened in 1984. In the late 1990s a significant addition expanded the jail and law center.
Old County Courthouse – Durand
Location: 315 West Madison Street / 2nd Avenue East
Built: 1873 – 1874
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Miles Durand Prindle
Contractor: Miles Durand Prindle
Description: The building faces north and is a two story white colored wood frame structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Durand. The north front has four white colored wood columns. Atop the roof is a white colored wood cupola. In the interior, the courtroom is located on the second story. The building now houses a museum.
Note: The building is the only remaining wood frame courthouse in Wisconsin and is the oldesrt courthouse not in use as a courthouse. .
See: National Register of Historic Places – Old Pepin County Courthouse
See: The 7th Judicial District includes Adams County, Buffalo County, Clark County, Crawford County, Grant County, iowa County, Jackson County, Juneau County, La Crosse County, Monroe County, Pierce County, Richland County, Trempealeau County and Vernon County.
History: The county was created in 1858 and Pepin was selected as the county seat. The county used rented premises. The county seat was moved to Durand in 1861. The first courthouse was built by Miles Durand Prindle in 1873 to 1874 at a cost of $12,000 and is still standing. The county seat was moved to Arkansaw in 1881 and the courthouse became the City Hall. The county offices were housed in a barracks. The county seat was moved back to Durand in 1886. The first courthouse was used until 1983. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1950 as a hospital and was converted in 1983 for use as a courthouse.
County Courthouse – Durand
Old County Courthouse – Durand
Photos taken 2006 and 2015