Coleman County Courthouse (Coleman)

Year Built: 1884/1952 (significant remodel)

Architect: W.W. Dudley / Wyatt Cephus Hedrick (1952 remodel)

The Coleman County Courthouse is located in Coleman, Texas.

For a great history of Coleman County, check out this compilation by Ralph Terry.

There has only been one courthouse constructed in Coleman County (1884), but it was severely modified in 1952. The 1952 Modern design of the renovated courthouse completely conceals the original Second Empire design.

The 1884 structure was 2-story stone building with a large central  clock tower and mansard roof (see image below). The remodel is constructed of beige brick and limestone in the Modern style with full height limestone window surround flanking a central limestone panel entry bay.

Text of Marker for 1884 Courthouse (original bell and cornerstone enshrined):

This monument erected as a memorial to the original Coleman County court house and to the pioneers who settled Coleman County.

Text of the Coleman County Centennial Marker (1936):

In early Texas had Apache, Comanche, Kiowa camps and mountain lookouts. White settlement began at Camp Colorado, U.S. 2nd Cavalry Post on Jim Ned Creek, 1857. County was created Feb. 1, 1858. Named for Robert M. Coleman (1799-1837), a signer of Texas Declaration of Independence and a hero of the Battle of San Jacinto. To south part of county, 1862, came John Chisum, to raise cattle to be furnished to Confederate troops fighting Civil War. County was organized Oct. 6, 1864. Courts first met at Camp Colorado. Coleman was approved as county seat April 28, 1876.