Adams County is named for John Adams, who was the second President of the United States of America, or for John Quincy Adams, who was the sixth President of the United States of America.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Idaho County
E – Valley County
S – Gem County and Washington County
W – Washington County, Baker County, Oregon and Wallowa County, Orego
Created: March 3, 1911 
County Seat:
Council 1912 – present
County Courthouse – Council
Location: 301 Industrial Avenue / North Dartmouth Street
Built: 1989 – 1999
Style: Modern
Architect: Archetype Design
Contractor: Delpro Corporation
Description: The building faces north and is a one story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the north side of the center of Council. The northwest entrance has two large pillars and a recessed glass doorway. The exterior is a yellow colored concrete and the building has a hipped red colored roof. In the interior, the County District Court courtroom is along the north side. The building houses the County District Court and County Magistrate Court of the 3rd Judicial District. Contracts for plumbing were awarded to C & R Plumbing and Heating of Dalton Garden, for sheet metal to Outland Steel of Nampa and for mechanical to Lewis Mechanical of Pocatello.
Former County Courthouse ( demolished ) – Council
Location: SE – California Avenue / Michigan Street
Built: 1914 – 1915
Style: Colonial Revival
Architect: Charles Kaufman
Contractor: George F Brinson
Description: The building faced west and was a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building was located in the center of Council. The building had a raised basement. There was a west wing and a south wing forming “V” shape. The main entrance was at the junction of the wings with a dormer above at the roof line. The entrance had white colored Tuscan columns. In the interior were plaster walls with exposed beams. During construction of the building, G S Geddes was appointed supervisor. The building was maintained by the Adams County Historic Preservation Commission but was demolished in November 2017.
See: The 3rd Judicial District includes Canyon County, Gem County, Owyhee County, Payette County and Washington County.
History: The county was created in 1911 and Council was selected as the county seat in 1912. The first courthouse was a one story house. The second courthouse was constructed in 1914 to 1915 at a cost of $25,000. The courthouse was demolished in 2017. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1999 to 2000.
County Courthouse – Council
County District Court courtroom
Commission Minutes – construction
Former County Courthouse ( demolished ) – Council
Picture First Courthouse – Council
Photos taken 2009 and 2012
Images 12*