One acre of land was given by Mr David Berry as a site for the courthouse and police residence, lockup and stables on the corner of Victoria and Albany Streets on 31st August 1889 just before his death in September.
Tenders were called for the erection of the courthouse on 21st of March 1890 and the tender submitted by A. and P. Ettingshausen for 1093 pounds 10 shillings was accepted on 17th of June 1890. The Court House appears to have been completed in September 1891 at a final cost of 1658 pounds 10 shillings and 7 pence.
Police Magistrates Court, Court of Petty Sessions and Small Debts Court were held in the building.
Tenders were accepted for fencing etc. at the courthouse on 3rd of March 1896.
The building was designed by James Barnet in the Greek Revival style and built in 1890 and 1891 at a cost of 1,658 pounds 10 shillings and 7 pence. The builders were H. and P. Ettingshausen. P. Ettingshausen having given on a previous petition to the P.M.G. given his occupation as undertaker. Being skilled at woodwork they are probably also responsible for the cedar fittings.
James Barnet was Clerk of Works in the Colonial Architects Department in 1860. He was Acting Colonial Architect in 1862. He was then Colonial Architect from 1865 to 1890. He was the longest serving of all the states official architect. He was in his last year of his term when he designed the Berry Courthouse.
The Police Lockup was erected in 1895. It was built in brick with a slate roof. It consisted of a residence, 3 cells, and an exercise yard. It was modernised in 1971. In 1979 it contained quarters, 2 cells, a yard, and the former stables were converted to a garage.
Repairs and painting were carried out on the courthouse in 1908. The courthouse was repainted inside and out in 1969. It was repainted outside in 1972.
The external toilet block is contemporary with the courthouse, with some similar features, and is unchanged except for those related to the connection of water and sewage.