Calhoun County Courthouse (Port Lavaca)

Architect: George Rustay and Foy Martin

Year Built: 1959.

The current Calhoun County Courthouse is located in Port Lavaca. It is a modern design made of concrete and aluminum,  It is the 5th courthouse for Calhoun County.  It was remodeled in 2005 and 2006.

On April 4, 1846, Calhoun County was formed from parts of Victoria, Jackson, and Matagorda counties and named for John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, who had advocated Texas statehood. Lavaca was the first county seat. But, as a result of the development of the Indianola Railroad, the formation of other transportation lines, and a shift of population, Indianola became more important and was made county seat in 1852.

Calhoun County’s strategic location on the Texas Gulf Coast has made it a big player in immigration to the U.S., and historical wars including the Civil War and World War II. It has also seen more than its share of major storms and Hurricanes, including Hurricane Carla in 1961.