Griffey's Steakhouse was the original courthouse in Fairbury an is also the oldest first brick building built in town.
The building at 4th and D Sts. was built in or about 1872-1873.
County Commissioners decided to use the building as a courthouse on Dec. 17, 1873.
On May 25th, 1872, a contract was signed for a two-story building and a jail.
The original contractors never completed work the buildings.

In August 1873, J.W. McIntosh was contracted to finish the building.
Three rooms divided the first floor with the north room being 18x18 feet.

It had a glass front and the probate judge and sheriff occupied the space.
The county clerk's room was 23x23 feet while the back room was 18x23 feet occupied by the county treasurer.
Above the offices was a large hall and the county decided to rent the area for dances and shows.
On Oct. 4, 1879 destroyed half of the business district and all the buildings on the southside except for the courthouse.
In 1889 , another fire on the south side of the square caused four buildings east of the courthouse to burn.
April 1903 fire consumed the entire southside of the square except the courthouse.
Every building on the square was heavily damaged or destroyed by the fire with only the old courthouse standing.
The building was temporarily used after the fire for office space for the county, at that time being Groff's Restraurant.

Later Ben and Evelyn's Cafe and Tavern, present day Griffey's Steakhouse & Lounge.