Welcome to my collection of Texas courthouses, photographed during my travels across the Lone Star State. Each one—and the surrounding landmarks—tells a story of history, architecture, and local character.
Map of Texas Courthouses Visited
Courthouses by Region Visited
Panhandle Plains
- Foard – A modest yet dignified red-brick building in Crowell, reflecting Depression-era simplicity. Built in 1942 in the Classical Revival style.
- Hardeman – A 1908 Beaux-Arts influenced building in Quanah with strong symmetry and an understated dome, blending early 20th-century design with small-town Texas grit.
- Jones – Located in Anson, this 1910 Classical Revival courthouse features a prominent dome and columned porticos. Its symmetry and limestone facade lend a dignified presence to the town square.
- Potter – Amarillo’s 1932 Art Deco courthouse boasts vertical lines, geometric detailing, and subtle grandeur. It reflects the optimism and style of the early 20th century Panhandle.
- Randall – Located in Canyon, Texas, the 1909 Randall County Courthouse is a Classical Revival building with a restrained, symmetrical design. Its limestone facade, Doric columns, and simple cornices reflect early 20th-century civic architecture.
- Sterling – A rare blend of Texas Renaissance and Art Deco architecture, situated in one of Texas’s smallest counties.
- Old Taylor – Originally serving as the county’s first courthouse and jail, it functioned in this capacity until 1883 when the county seat moved to Abilene. Today, it stands as the centerpiece of the Buffalo Gap Historic Village.
Big Bend Country
- Presidio – An architectural treasure in Marfa, built in 1887 in the Second Empire style. With its pale pink walls, clock tower, and sweeping desert backdrop, it’s among Texas’s most photogenic courthouses.
Hill Country
- Bell – A stately Renaissance Revival structure in Belton, built in 1884. Its dome and clock tower overlook the historic square with timeless elegance.
- Blanco – The Old Blanco courthouse is a distinguished example of Second Empire architecture completed in 1886. Now repurposed, it’s rich with Hill Country character.
- Lampasas – A striking example of Second Empire architecture, complete with a mansard roof and clock tower that reflect the town’s rich heritage and enduring charm.
- Llano – Built in 1893, this three-story granite courthouse dominates the square in Llano. Its Romanesque design includes turrets, a steep roofline, and intricate stonework that reflect the region’s geology.
- McCulloch – A striking example of Romanesque architecture, constructed from locally quarried, cream-colored sandstone. It boasts a grand two-story district courtroom with an ornamental metal ceiling.
- Mills – Completed in 1913 in Goldthwaite, this Classical Revival courthouse boasts large Ionic columns, a symmetrical façade, and a central dome—projecting a sense of order and formality against the rural backdrop.
- San Saba – This elegant 1911 courthouse in San Saba blends Classical , with a large central dome and stately columns—an unexpected architectural gem in the heart of pecan country.
Prairies and Lakes
- Bosque – Located in Meridian and completed in 1886, this courthouse is a fine example of Romanesque Revival style, with a mansard roof, prominent clock tower, and a stately limestone exterior.
- Dallas – Known as the “Old Red Courthouse,” this iconic Romanesque Revival building in downtown Dallas was built in 1892 using red sandstone and blue granite. Its turrets and castle-like design make it a local landmark and history museum.
- Ellis – Located in Waxahachie, this 1897 masterpiece is one of the most ornate in Texas. Its Romanesque Revival style features intricate carvings, red granite, and dramatic towers—often cited as the state’s most beautiful courthouse.
- Hill – A stunning example of Texas courthouse restoration, the Hill County courthouse in Hillsboro was built in 1890 and rebuilt after a 1993 fire. Its Second Empire style and majestic dome make it a proud symbol of civic pride and resilience.
- Jack – Sitting at the center of Jacksboro, this 1940 courthouse was constructed in a subdued Modern Classical style, replacing earlier structures. Its clean lines and minimal ornamentation reflect New Deal-era design ideals.
- Navarro – This stately 1905 Beaux-Arts courthouse in Corsicana features a large dome, symmetrical design, and limestone exterior. It reflects early 20th-century grandeur and still serves as the heart of civic life in the county.
- Parker – Built in 1886 in Weatherford, this Second Empire-style courthouse is clad in pale pink granite with a distinctive central clock tower. Its classic design anchors one of Texas’s most charming courthouse squares.
- Somervell – A small but elegant 1894 limestone courthouse in Glen Rose. Romanesque arches and a compact footprint reflect the scale of one of Texas’s least populous counties, yet the building still commands attention.
Piney Woods
- Gregg – Located in Longview, this 1932 Art Deco courthouse features a symmetrical façade with grand columns and a decorative pediment. It reflects the early 20th-century civic pride of East Texas.
- Harrison – The 1901 courthouse in Marshall stands out with its ornate detailing, grand dome, and elegant stonework. It’s a shining example of turn-of-the-century Texas architecture.
- Lamar – In Paris, Texas, this 1917 Classical Revival courthouse features a large dome, Corinthian columns, and finely detailed stone carvings, symbolizing the grandeur of the region’s legal heritage.
South Texas Plains
- Bee – The 1912 Beaux-Arts courthouse in Beeville showcases elaborate stonework, a central dome, and graceful arches, serving as a regional landmark.
- Bexar – This grand Romanesque Revival courthouse in San Antonio is made of red sandstone and sits proudly across from the Alamo. Built in 1896, it’s one of Texas’s most iconic.
- Caldwell – A stunning Second Empire-style building in Lockhart with a mansard roof and a central clock tower. Built in 1894, it’s often called one of the most beautiful in Texas.
- Colorado – This 1891 Classical Revival courthouse in Columbus features a mansard roof and ornate detailing, epitomizing Victorian-era elegance.
- Fayetteville – A stunning example of Romanesque Revival architecture, completed in 1891. Its multicolored stone exterior, striking clock tower, and intricate stone carvings make it one of the most picturesque courthouses in the state.
- Goliad – Built in 1894, this Second Empire courthouse in Goliad features a distinctive clock tower and arched windows. It stands near historic sites tied to Texas independence.
- Gonzales – The 1896 Romanesque Revival courthouse in Gonzales boasts robust stone arches and a commanding clock tower, reflecting the town’s frontier history.
- Karnes – Located in Karnes City, this 1894 Romanesque Revival courthouse is marked by its symmetrical design, grand columns, and elegant cupola.
- Lee – Rising above downtown Giddings, this 1899 Romanesque Revival courthouse features red brick and limestone trim. Its rounded arches and bold design speak to a turn-of-the-century sense of permanence.
- Medina – Located in Hondo, this Classical Revival and Italianate courthouse captivates with its imposing grand portico and elegant architectural details.
- Washington – Set in historic Brenham, this 1939 Moderne-style courthouse replaced an earlier 19th-century structure. Sleek lines, vertical detailing, and minimal ornamentation reflect the transition into a modern civic era.
Beyond Texas Borders
- Carroll County Courthouse (AR) – This 1908, this three-story Romanesque Revival courthouse is situated on a constrained site in downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The building’s vertical emphasis and intricate detailing reflect the town’s rich architectural heritage.
- Hardin County Courthouse (KY) – Located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, this three-story brick courthouse, built in 1934 in the Beaux-Arts style, serves as a centerpiece of the Elizabethtown Courthouse Square and Commercial District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- St. Louis Old County Courthouse (MO) – Completed in 1862 it is a landmark of Greek Revival architecture, known for its grand dome and cruciform layout. It was the site of pivotal legal cases, including the first two trials of Dred and Harriet Scott’s fight for freedom.
Dedication
Special thanks to the friends and travel companions—LT, Amy, Jen, Lynn, and Latif—who patiently indulged my habit of “braking for courthouses”—and for enduring the detours, photo stops, and extra miles along the way. And to Cindy, who encouraged me to start a travel blog. This page is for you.
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