Madison County is named for James Madison, who was the fourth President of the United States of America.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Silver Bow County and Jefferson County
E – Gallatin County
S – Fremont County, Idaho and Beaverhead County
Created: February 2, 1865
County Seat:
Virginia City 1865 – present
County Courthouse – Virginia City
Location: 110 West Wallace Street / Courthouse Street
Built: 1875 – 1876
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: L B Olds
Contractor: Daniel Steele
Description: The building faces north and is a two story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the side of a slope in the center of Virginia City. The north front has a small portico supported by four thin columns with a balcony on the second story. The building has a square white colored wood cupola with glass windows, on the center of the roof. The entrance doorway and windows are arched. The interior has a spiral staircase ascending to the County District Court courtroom on the second story. The building houses the County District Court of the 5th Judicial District and County justice Court. Additions were built in 1913 and 1962 and the building was renovated in 2005.
Note: The courthouse is the oldest courthouse still in use in Montana. The second oldest courthouse is located in Choteau County.
See: The 5th Judicial District includes Beaverhead County and Jefferson County.
County Administration Building – Virginia City
Location: 103 West Wallace Street / Courthouse Street
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The “L” shaped building is located on landscaped grounds on the side of a slope in the center of Virginia City opposite the courthouse. There is a basement descending the slope. The roof is hipped. In the interior stairs ascend to the second story. The temporary County District Court courtroom is located at the northwest side of the second story.
Old County Courthouse – Virginia City
Location: 103 West Idaho Street / Jackson Street
Built: 1866
Style: Wood Frame
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a one story white colored wood and log structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Virginia City to the west of the courthouse. The north front has a one story porch. The roof is hipped. The building served as the first county courthouse and is now the Bonanza Inn.
History: The county was created in 1865 and Virginia City was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was the log structure built in 1866 which became the Sisters Hospital and later the Bonanza Inn and which is still standing. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1875 to 1876.
County Courthouse – Madison
County District Court courtroom
County Administration Building – Virginia City
Photos taken 2009, 2011 and 2025
Images 16*