The old Pepin County Courthouse, built in 1873-74 for $7,000, served as the county courthouse until 1985. It is now a museum listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The building is over 140 years old and initially lacked electricity and plumbing, but these were later added. While some modern renovations were made, certain areas remain close to the original design. The courthouse is a prominent two-story Greek Revival wood-frame structure with notable exterior decorations. It is the only remaining wood-framed courthouse in Wisconsin and one of two Greek Revival style courthouses in the state. The interior has undergone extensive remodeling and alterations, diminishing its original character. The courtroom on the second floor, however, retains its original features. The adjacent jail, connected to the former residence of the county sheriff, features rare iron lattice-work cells.

The courthouse played a significant role as the center of county government, a cultural and educational center, and a focal point in the development of the City of Durand. The building’s history is marked by a controversial county seat location dispute and a notable lynching incident in 1881. The first white settler arrived in the area in 1834, and the county experienced growth with the arrival of the railroad in the 1860s. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, has been central to Pepin County’s economy, along with apple, grape, and berry production. The county boasts scenic parks and lakes, including Lake Pepin. Today, Pepin County thrives with a population of around 7,000.