Crow Wing County Courthouse and Jail

The Crow Wing County Courthouse is a Beaux-Arts building in Brainerd built in 1920 with contrasting stone finishes that draw the eye. Upper floors display smooth-cut gray stone while the ground level features rough-cut stone, and inside a grand rotunda with marble details creates an impressive entry space.

The building opened in 1920 as the county's second courthouse and earned recognition in the National Register of Historic Places during 1980. This designation reflected its architectural importance to the region's judicial development over the years.

The building displays paintings by local artist Sarah Thorp Heald showing scenes from the 1800s, hung throughout its marble hallways. These works tell stories about how people lived and worked in the region during that era.

The courthouse welcomes visitors Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM and houses county administrative offices. Arriving during these hours allows you to explore the building at a comfortable pace and notice the architectural details and artwork throughout.

Doorknobs throughout the building feature carved designs of crows perched on branches, a direct reference to the county's name. This small but thoughtful detail shows how the original designers wove local heritage into the building's craftsmanship.