COMMUNITYOtero County Courthouse Nicole MaxwellAlamogordo Daily News12th Judicial District CourthouseDuane Barbati/Daily NewsThe Otero County panel including county manager, county attorney and commission at a special meeting to discuss the 12th Judicial District Courthouse on October 8, 2020.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsSocial distancing and masks were worn by most of the public at the special Otero County Commission meeting October 8, 2020 at the Otero County Fairgrounds pavilion.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsTwelfth Judicial District Judge James W. Counts, right, speaks to the Otero County Commission at a special meeting October 8, 2020.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsOtero County Commissioner Couy Griffin speaks at a special meeting to discuss the 12th Judicial District courthouse in Otero County on October 8, 2020.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsThe Otero County Commission at a special meeting to discuss the 12th Judicial District courthouse in Otero County on October 8, 2020.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsThe inside of the Otero County Courthouse elevator. The elevator is possibly one of the oldest working elevators in New Mexico.Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily NewsAccording to Mrs. Tom Charles, in her book, “Tales of the Tularosa”, the Otero County courthouse was built in 1902 by contractor S. E. Pelphrey at a cost of $13,047. Otero County had been created on Jan. 30, 1899 by an act of the 33rd Legislature and named after Territorial Gov. Miguel A. Otero. A new courthouse has built in 1956 to replace the original building.Courtesy Photo/TBMH