Formed March 1, 1891 (54th county)
Glenn County (28,915), Willows (6,290), Orland (8,306)
The traditional style courthouse was built in 1894 with a major modification in 1951. It is located on Sycamore between Lassen and Murdock Streets. California State Highway 162 is three blocks north of the site. This is the only courthouse built in Willows since Willows has been the only county seat. John Curtis is the building designer. An annex was added in 1968. Orland has an augmenting courthouse. Glenn County was not created until March 1, 1891 as the 54th county. It was taken from Colusa County. Ranch owner, Doctor Hugh J. Glenn is the source for the county’s name. The seat’s name comes from nearby willow trees.
Glenn County government consists of a sheriff, assessor, controller, and treasurer (executive). It has 5 Supervisors (legislative.) A Superior Court Judge, clerk, and counsel serve Alameda County (judicial.) The county is located in northern California northwest of Sacramento, California. The Sacramento River is most of the east border. The county center is 19.5 miles Northwest of Willows nearer Elk Creek. The county is surrounded clockwise by Tehama, Butte, Colusa, Lake, and Mendocino counties. The county is shaped like a flat rectangle with a foot sticking out of the southeast. Willows is in the southeast quarter of the county. Orland is located in the northeast quarter of the county. Willows is the county seat and Orland is the largest city. Willows is 21.8% of the county population while Orland is 28.7% of the county population.
The area of the county is 1315 square miles. It is 37 out of 58 in the state. It ranks 48 out of 58 in population in the state. It has a density of 22.0 persons per square mile making it 47 out of 58 in the state. Glenn County has 50.5% of its population in its incorporated areas. Interstate Highway 5 enters from Tehama County to the north and exits into Colusa County to the south.
Orland
Willows
