Bee County Courthouse (Beeville)
Architect: William C. Stephenson and Fritz W. Heldenfels
Year Built: 1912.
The Bee County Courthouse is located in Beeville, Texas.
From the Application for National Register of Historic Places: The Bee County Courthouse, the county’s fourth courthouse, became a symbol of the county’s increasing prosperity when constructed in 1912. Designed by local architect William C. Stephenson, the courthouse is the dominant architectural feature of Beeville and a fine example of the Beaux Arts style with its grand entry portico, symmetrical facade, and clock tower dome. The Bee County Courthouse continues to function as the focus of Bee County government and is a visible monument of the continuing aspirations of the community.
The courthouse was restored through the Texas Historical Commission and rededicated in 2006. Check out the before & after pictures.
From the Historical Marker: Bee County was created in 1857 from parts of five neighboring counties. The first county seat was located seven miles east of this site, and the first commissioners court was held on the banks of Medio Creek in February 1858. The city’s earliest courthouse consisted of a box frame structure.
In 1912, local architect W.C. Stephenson designed this, the county’s fourth courthouse. A native of Buffalo, New York, Stephenson aided in the design of the death mask of President William McKinley. He was the architect of several Beeville buildings, including the Rialto Theater, two churches and several houses, and later designed the Classical Revival McMullen County courthouse. W.C. Whitney, builder of three other Texas courthouses, contracted to build the Bee County courthouse for $72,050. Whitney died during construction and W.C. Stephenson’s partner, Fritz Heldenfels, completed the project.
Stephenson drew upon the strong contemporary influence of the French Beaux Arts School with a level of grandeur previously nonexistent in Bee County. Some original Beaux Arts features such as the cast stone balustrade originally outlining the roof were later removed, and the 1943 addition partially obscured the symmetrical plan and facade of the edifice.
The Bee County courthouse is a fine example of the Classical Revival style. Of particular significance are the grand portico and projecting pediment entry with Corinthian columns and dentils along the roofline. The Chicago-style windows, comprised of one glass pane flanked by two narrower ones, with transoms above, are noteworthy. Also unusual is Stephenson’s lady of justice; unlike most such symbols, she is not depicted as blind.
