California note
Merced's old courthouse is now a county memory keeper
The Merced County Courthouse Museum sits in an 1875 courthouse that served the county for a century before becoming one of Merced's key history stops.
Merced has a courthouse story right in the middle of town. The Merced County Courthouse Museum sits at 21st and N Streets, and the building gives the city a steady landmark with real age behind it.
The courthouse was built in 1875. It served as a courthouse for 100 years, until 1975, and also held county offices over time. That means many parts of local government passed through the same building before it became a museum.
Today, it works as a public history stop. The county museum page lists regular afternoon museum hours, and county materials describe the building as one of California’s older landmarks and an icon for Merced County.
It is a good reminder that Merced has a county-seat memory of its own alongside its college, farm-region, and Yosemite-route roles, with the old courthouse still standing to tell it.
Where to see it
Merced County Courthouse Museum, 21st Street and N Street in Merced. Confirm museum hours before visiting.
Sources
Sources for this story
Reviewed July 2, 2026
Public sources for the places, events, and details above.
Connected places
Open the local directory
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