A Legislative Act organized the State into Counties; the County of Placer was created and Auburn became the County Seat. Hugh Fitz Simmons was the first elected Judge to the Placer County Superior Court and S.B. Farwell was elected as a District Court Judge. Court was conducted in a structure made from wood and canvas with an adjacent jail made from logs. It was located on Court Street in Auburn.

In 1982 A group of citizens formed the Placer County Committee to Preserve the Courthouse for the Courts. This group played an important part in saving the historic structure. The committee began seeking donations and sought outside grants to help finance the restoration project. Although, the committee was able to raise over $3,000,000.00, it was evident that a much larger sum was needed to finance the project. The Board of Supervisors hired the firm of Lardner Lardner Architects and Associates of Auburn to prepare a plan and cost estimate for the restoration.

Howard G. Gibson was appointed as a Superior Court Judge.
John Cosgrove was elected as a Municipal Court Judge.
Richard Ryan was elected as a Municipal Court Judge.
George Yonehiro was elected as a Municipal Court Judge.