The mood of the crowd was festive. Hundreds had gathered along West Yosemite Avenue to witness the historic occasion and to enjoy a community barbecue. Women in Victorian era dresses and men in suits clustered around the crane, which was setting the cornerstone. The date was Oct. 29, 1900, and in what seemed the quintessential symbol of modernity, Madera celebrated its entrance into the 20th century with two auspicious events. The first was the building of Madera County’s first honest-to-goodness courthouse, and the second was the completion of the rebuilding of the old lumber flume.
For seven years, the county’s offices had been spread all over town. Now, at the beginning of the new century, Madera was going to get a courthouse. In February of 1900, the Board of Supervisors advertised for architects to submit plans for the building, which had to meet the following specifications. It had to be made of Raymond granite, absolutely fireproof, and could not exceed a cost of $60,000.
Within one month, five plans were submitted, and the Board chose one presented by Fresno architect Hugh Braunton. The construction contract went to the Pacific Construction Company, which bid $59,963.