Lewis County is named for Merriweather Lewis, who was the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Nez Perce County and Clearwater County
E – Clearwater County and Idaho County
S – Idaho County
W – Nez Perce County
Created: March 3, 1911
County Seat:
Nezperce 1911 – present
County Courthouse – Nezperce
Location: 510 Oak Street / 6th Avenue
Built: 1973 – 1974
Style: Modern
Architect: William Parr
Contractor: E Hollibaugh Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a one story cream colored limestone, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Nezperce. The east front has a central recessed entrance with dark rough stone trim on each side. The windows are vertical with projecting trim. A wide band runs along the flat roof line. In the interior, the County District Court at the northwest part of the building. The building houses the County District Court and County Magistrate Court of the 2nd Judicial District.
Old County Courthouse – Nezperce
Location: 506 Oak Street / 5th Avenue
Built: 1880 -1881
Style: Commercial
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick, limestone and concrete structure. The building is located at the street corner in the center of Nezperce and was constructed as a bank. The northeast corner has two arches with recessed entrance. The north side has an arched entrance. Stone lintels top each window and a wide band runs below the flat roof line. The county occupied the building in 1911 as the first courthouse.
See: The 2nd Judicial District includes Clearwater County, Idaho County, Latah County and Nez Perce County.
History: The county was created in 1911 and Nezperce was selected as the county seat. In 1911, the first courthouse was the commercial building in Nezperce built in 1880 to 1881 and occupied in 1911. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1973 to 1974.
County Courthouse – Nezperce
County District Court courtroom
Old County Courthouse – Nezperce
Photos taken 2009, 2016 and 2022
Images 20*