Historic Merced County Courthouse rededicated to honor 150-year legacy

For 150 years, the Merced County Courthouse has stood as a symbol of the residents of Merced. On Monday, its significance was recognized during a rededication ceremony.

“The Merced County Courthouse Museum is more than just a building, it’s a symbol of who we are,” said Merced County District 2 Supervisor Josh Pedrozo said during Monday’s event. “For a century, this grand structure served as our courthouse and the seat of county administration.”

The building also housed the offices for the Merced County Board of Supervisors, auditor-controller, treasure-tax collector, parks and recreation among many others.

“Since its construction in 1875, it has bore witness to the milestones and stories that have shaped this community, said Pedrozo. “We gather today not just to reflect on the past but to honor the foundation laid by those that came before us. Their vision and determination paved the way for the Merced County we know today. A place of promise, resilience and potential.”

Located in front of the courthouse museum steps, a new plaque was unveiled during the ceremony that contains information about the courthouse’s original dedication as well as the year in which The Merced County seat was relocated to the City of Merced from Snelling in 1872. The plaque also serves to correct inaccuracies about the original dedication date, the town where building designer A.A. Bennett resided and to correct the spelling of building contractor A.W. Burrell’s last name.

The Merced County Courthouse Museum serves as home to the Merced County Historical Society which was organized in 1962. Joyce Mattos, president of the historical society, said that when the society was organized, its mission was to preserve history while also celebrating the cultural landscape of Merced County.

“We are proud that this historic building has been preserved and is the home of so many artifacts of Merced County history,” said Mattos. “On this, the 150th anniversary year of the building of the courthouse, we are excited to see the exterior renovation of the courthouse undertaken to help preserve it for at least another 150 years.”

Merced County Museum Director Sarah Lim said the rededication of the courthouse is a way to celebrate the county’s history and to honor county pioneers.

“The Courthouse rededication event is important to our community because the Courthouse is a living history that helps to tell the story of who we are, where we came from, and how we got here,” said Lim.

One of the oldest buildings in California, the historic building served as Merced County’s courthouse and headquarters for county administration for 100 years until 1975. The courthouse opened as a history museum in 1983. Designed by A.A. Bennett, to resemble an Italian palazzo, the building features a portico with a balcony on the south side and a cupola on top. The building’s exterior features white plaster. A nearly identical courthouse was built in Fresno County, but that building was later demolished.

This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM.