Tuolumne County is named for the Tuolumne River, which name means “cave people” or “stone wigwams”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Calavveras County and Alpine County
E – Mono County
S – Madera County, Mariposa County and Merced County
Created: February 18, 1850 
County Seat:
Sonora 1850 – present
County Courthouse – Sonora
Location: 41 Yaney Avenue / North Norlin Street
Built: 1898 – 1900
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: William Mooser & Son of San Francisco
Contractor: Charles F McCarthy
Description: The building faces north and is a three story yellow colored Roman pressed brick, Colusa sandstone and concrete structure. The building sits on the side of a hill which descends to the east in the center of Sonora. The building has a raised basement. On the north front double stairs ascend to a one story portico supported by two groups of three stone Corinthian columns and with balcony on the second story. The entrance is arched and rises to an arched window on the second story. A square clock tower rises above the roof line. The tower has small arched windows with clock above and open cupola at the top. The red colored tile roof is pitched. In the interior, are floor titles imported from Europe, wainscoting fashioned from local Columbia marble, high ceilings and a cast iron staircase with marble treads.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Tuolumne County Courthouse.
See: The county is located in the 5th Appellate District Court of Appeal – Fresno
County Law and Justice Center – Sonora
Location: 12855 Justice Court Drive / Old Wards Ferry Road
Built: 2019 – 2021
Style: Modern
Architect: Lionakis
Contractor: Turner Construction Company and Vanir Construction Management, Inc.
Description: The building faces north and is a two story glass and concrete structure. The building is located on a hillside on landscaped grounds to the southeast of the center of Sonora along Highway 108. On the east side of the front, the entrance section extends north. Along the front are large glass windows. The roof line is flat. In the interior, local Columbia marble is used in the featured walls behind the judge’s benches. The building contains five courtrooms. The building houses the County Superior Court.
County Administration Building – Sonora
Location: 2 South Green Street / West Jackson Street
Built: 1978 – 1980
Style: Modern
Architect: RVA / Dean Unger
Contractor: Ticon Construction
Description: The building faces north and is a three story yellow colored stone, glass and concrete structure. The building sits on the side of a hill which descends to the east in the center of Sonora on the south side of the courthouse. The north entrance is on the second story. The building has large vertical windows which project from the building. The roof has a wide overhang.
County Office Building – Sonora
Location: 40 Yaney Avenue / North Norlin Street
Built: 1981 – 1982
Style: Modern
Architect: Angello-Vitiello-Nitya, Inc
Contractor: Harold J Younger Construction
Description: The building faces south and is a four story yellow colored stone, glass and concrete structure. The building is located in the center of Sonora on the north side of the courthouse. The south central entrance on the first story is recessed. The east side of the front rises in tiers. The west side of the front has recessed horizontal windows. The building is the Albert N Francisco Building.
County Courthouse – Sonora
County Administration Building – Sonora
County Office Building – Sonora
Photos taken 2013