Watonwan County District Court is the official name of this court. SR's 4 and 30 run together through this town and meet with SR 60 to the South of St. James.

In the 1860's, the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroads decided to complete a railroad between the two cities and operate the railroad in two divisions and determined that the point between the two divisions would be in the middle of Watonwan County at the place now known as St. James. At the time, no settlers lived anywhere in the area. Today approximately 5000 people live in the area. St. James lake, a large body of water, lies at the Southwest corner of the city. Although the city has several parks; Memorial Park which is located on St. James Lake, is one of the largest.

Hon. Gregory Anderson