Saint Croix County is named for Monsieur Saint Croix, a Frenchman, who drowned in the Saint Croix River in the 17th century.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Polk County
E – Dunn County
S – Pierce County
W – Washington County, Minnesota
Created: January 9, 1840 
County Seat:
Stillwater ( Minnesota ) 1846 – 1849
Prescott ( Elizabeth ) 1849 – 1852
Buena Vista ( Willow River ) 1849 – 1852
Hudson 1852 – present
County Courthouse – Hudson
Location: 1011 Carmichael Road / Vine Street
Built: 1991 – 1993
Style: Modern
Architect: Ayers Associates
Contractor: Stahl Construction of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on spacious grounds to the east of the center of Hudson. The building is constructed of dark red colored brick with white colored stone facing along the first story and roof line. There is a rounded section at the central east entrance. In the interior near the entrance lobby is the County Circuit Court courtroom. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit. The building opened on June 14, 1993 and is named as the St. Croix Government Center.
Old County Courthouse – Hudson
Location: 904 3rd Street / Orange Street
Built: 1899 – 1900
Style: Romanesque
Architect: W T Towner of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Contractor: F C Norlander of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Description: The building faces west and is a three story red colored sandstone and brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Hudson. The west front has a projecting center section with large arch. Behind is a high square brick tower. On either side of the tower, the roof rises to a peak. The first and third story windows are arched. The building is now a private residence.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Old St. Croix County Courthouse
Old County Courthouse – Hudson
Location: 901 4th Street / Orange Street
Built: 1964 – 1965
Style: Modern
Architect: Hirsch & Stevens
Contractor: Adouffson & Peterson
Description: The building faces east and is a one story white colored concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped ground in the center of Hudson. The east front has a projecting center section and along the front are vertical dividers with a wide horizontal section between the floors and at the flat roof line. The building is now the Hudson Professional Building.
See: The 10th Judicial District includes Ashland County, Barron County, Bayfield County, Burnnett County, Chippewa County, Douglas County, Dunn County, Eau Claire County, Polk County, Rusk County, Sawyer County and Washburn County.
History: When the county was created in 1840, Stillwater in Minnesota was selected as the county seat in 1846. In 1849, the county government met in Prescott (Elizabeth) and Buena Vista (Willow River). In 1852 Buena Vista became Hudson and the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1856. The second courthouse was constructed in 1899 to 1900 at a cost of $50,000 and is still standing. The third courthouse was constructed in 1964 to 1965 and is still standing. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1991 to 1993.
County Courthouse – Hudson
County Circuit Court courtroom
Old County Courthouse – 1900 – Hudson
Old County Courthouse – 1965 – Hudson
Photos taken 2008 and 2010