Bastrop County Courthouse (Bastrop)

Architect: Jasper N. Preston and F.E. Ruffini.

Year Built: 1883.

The Bastrop County Courthouse is located in the City of Bastrop, Texas.

The Courthouse was constructed in the Renaissance Revival style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1975. The infamous “hanging hook” remains on the landing between the first and second floor.

Extensive remodeling, including new floors, modern heating, lighting and  plumbing at the cost of $53,000, was completed in 1924. At this time the dome was lowered and various architectural details were removed.
A modern effort for more office space and a Commissioner’s courtroom resulted in the addition of a wing to the south of the original building in 1953-1954 by the Austin architectural firm of Page, Southerland and Page.

From the Bastrop County Historical Marker:

A part of Austin’s grant in 1821; created the municipality of Mina, 1834; became the County of Mina in the Republic of Texas, 1836. Name changed to “Bastrop,” December 18, 1837, in honor of Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, 1770-1829, land commissioner of Austin’s Colony. Member of the Congress of Coahuila and Texas. Bastrop, the County Seat.

There is a great history of Bastrop and the Baron of Bastrop on the Bastrop County Historical Commission site.

Frederick Ruffini also designed the Old Blanco County Courthouse, Concho County Courthouse and Robertson County Courthouse.