Lapeer County - American Courthouses

Lapeer County is named for the French word “la Pierre” which means “stone” or “flint stone”.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Tuscola County and Sanilac County

E – Sanilac County and St. Clair County

S – Macomb County and Oakland County

W – Genesee County and Tuscola County

Created: September 18, 1822

County Seat:

Lapeer 1835 – present

Old County Courthouse – Lapeer

Location: 235 West Nepessing Street / North Court Street

Built: 1845 – 1846

Style: Greek Revival

Architect: Alvin N Hart and Norman Davidson

Contractor: Norman Davidson

Description: The building faces north and is a two story native white pine structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Lapeer on the north side of the courthouse and faces north with a portico supported by four fluted Doric columns. The building has a brick foundation. A three tiered tower rises on the south side of the building. In the interior, the large courtroom is located on the second story. The architect was Alvin N Hart and contractor was Norman Davidson. In 1878, the building was moved eighty feet to the south and placed on a brick foundation. In 2025 to 2026 the building was renovated.

Note: The courthouse is the second oldest courthouse in Michigan after the courthouse in Berrien County, but is the oldest courthouse still in use.

County Courthouse – Lapeer

Location: 255 Clay Street / North Court Street

Built: 1978 – 1980

Style: Modern

Architect: Tomlinson. Harburn, Yurk & Associated Inc. of Flint

Contractor: Erickson & Lindstrom Construction Company

Description: The building faces northwest and is a three story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located in the center of Lapeer. The building has a recessed entrance on the northwest corner. The windows are horizontal and the first and second stories are recessed along the north front. In the interior, the County Circuit Court courtrooms and the County District Court courtroom are located on the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 40th Judicial District, County District Court and County Probate Court. In 1997 the third story was developed an in 2005 the building was renovated.

History: The county was created in `1822 and Lapeer was selected as the county seat in 1835 when the county was organized. The county was attached to Oakland County for judicial purposes. The first courthouse was built by Chester Hatch in 1839 at a cost of $450. The second courthouse was built in 1845 to 1946 and is still standing. The building was purchased by the County for $3,000 in 1853. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1978 to 1980 at cost of $3,500,000. The 1997 cost of opening the third story of the courthouse was $90,000.

See: Michigan’s County Courthouses by John Fedynsky