Chester Courthouse

Chester Courthouse, located at 222 First Avenue, Chester, CA, 96020

The Chester Courthouse is the county seat of Plumas County, California. The courthouse was built in 1854 and is the oldest continuously-operating courthouse in California. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The courthouse is still in use today and houses the Plumas County Superior Court.

The Chester Courthouse is a two-story, red brick building with a hipped roof. The main facade features a central projecting pavilion with a pedimented gable and four round-arched windows on the first story. A small bell tower rises from the center of the roof. The courthouse has been modified and expanded over the years, but it still retains its original appearance.

The Chester Courthouse is a significant example of early California architecture. It is one of the only surviving buildings from the Gold Rush era and is a reminder of the important role that Plumas County played in the early history of California. The courthouse is also the oldest continuously-operating courthouse in California, which makes it an important part of California’s judicial history.