Lander County, formed in 1862, originally established its seat in Jacobsville, a vanished community several miles west of Austin. After the discovery of silver in Pony Canyon in May 1862, the county government moved to Austin.

This two-story brick courthouse was built in 1871. It is the only surviving Greek Revival courthouse in Nevada. The interior features a decorative stairway, grained woodwork and original jail cells with barred doors.

The county seat moved to Battle Mountain in 1979, but the old courthouse in Austin continues to serve as county offices.

Source: Adapted from the NRHP nomination form.