Photo: State Historical Society of North Dakota/1883 Stutsman County Courthouse

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Stutsman County District court will return to where it all began in 1883 for North Dakota.

Built before North Dakota was a state, the Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse was tapped to be the location for Stutsman County District court as they adjust for the pandemic.

Barb Hill is the Clerk of District Court for Stutsman County.

Hill says they had been in contact with different locations to hold District Court before they reached out to 1883 Historic Stutsman County Courthouse Site Supervisor Steve Reidburn.

Security will still be provided by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and arrangements will be made for any handicap accessibility.

As far as social distancing, Hill says they’ve got plans in place.

Hill added she’s excited for the historic meaning behind holding jury trials inside the original courthouse.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the historic site to be used once again as an official courtroom,” Site Supervisor Steve Reidburn added.

The last time the historic courthouse was used for a trial was nearly 38 years ago.