The courthouse that dominates the public square at Salem was constructed in 1888, using limestone quarried near Salem. It is the third courthouse to serve the community and continues as the seat of Washington County government.

The miniature on the model layout is among the few commercially-produced models on the layout.

Surrounding the courthouse are numerous models of actual buildings, most of them made by John G. Campbell of Louisville. To ensure accuracy, Campbell measured buildings, or if they had been torn down, he measured the remnants of foundations. He also studied photographs, then committed his information to paper, drawing the plans for the buildings he would later construct using Styrene.

Campbell is a retired contractor who spent his life building schools and other public buildings in Louisville and southern Indiana. He said it has always been his desire to build an historically-accurate model railroad. This prompted his involvement in The Depot’s project.