Starke County was organized on April 1, 1850. County business was conducted in the log home of Jacob Tillman, the county treasurer. In 1851 a new courthouse was built for $475. The frame structure was on the southeast corner of Mound and Pearl Streets. A second courthouse was completed in 1863. It had colonial columns and a bell tower. It was the first located on the public square. The final cost was $20,000. Construction of the present courthouse started in 1897.