Texas Courthouses
There are 254 Texas counties, and many counties have more than one courthouse. Like other enthusiasts, I – with wife and dogs in tow – have set out to visit all of the historic Texas courthouses (yes, that’s a thing), and have dedicated this page to posting pictures and videos from our visits.
I have handled cases in many of these courthouses, but cannot choose a favorite. I love so many of them, but am partial to the designs of architects Alfred Giles and James Riely Gordon, both of whom were very active in and around San Antonio in the 1800s. I am also a fan of W.C. Dodson‘s designs, though his style varied significantly throughout his career.
I hope you enjoy experiencing the many architectural styles of these fantastic buildings. I will continue to add pictures to this page as we get the chance to experience “new” courthouses.
NOTES:
– All photos and videos on this page taken by Trey Wilson.
– This page is best viewed on on a desktop. The alignment and labels may be off when viewed from a mobile device.
– Click on the individual photos to enlarge. Some were taken with Canon cameras, and others with iPhones, so quality may vary.
– I make my living doing something other than taking pictures (practicing real estate law), so feel free to share or republish my photos if you are so inclined. I would appreciate photo attribution to @treywilsonattorneytx.
– I post some of the Courthouse photos I take on Instagram at @TreyWilsonAttorneyTx. Look for #texascourthouse and #countycourthouse to see additional pictures taken by me and other Texas courthouse enthusiasts. Sometimes I post short, cheesy courthouse videos to TikTok under my handle @treywilsonattorneytx.
– Learn about the Texas Historical Commission’s Courthouse Stewardship and Historic Courthouse Preservation Programs.
– A sampling of pictures from my visits to other courthouses, including the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., will also be posted on this page. I have labeled the non-Texas, replaced and abandoned courthouses as “BONUS.”
– If you are interested in historical Texas Courthouses, here are some great websites:
- 254 Texas Courthouses
- TexasCourthouses.com
- Texas Courthouse Trail
- Texas Escapes
- Texas Association of Counties
- Texas Historic Commission Restored Courthouses
- Architexas Historic Texas Courthouses Projects page
The Texas State Historical Association‘s Handbook of Texas is my GO-TO resource for research into the counties I visit.
Lampasas County Courthouse (Lampasas)
Architect: Wesley Clark ("W.C.") Dodson Year Built: 1883 The Lampasas County Courthouse is located in the City of Lampasas. It is absolutely beautiful, and is one of many of Dodson's designs. Works by Dodson or his partnership include (with attribution): Coryell...
Kleberg County Courthouse (Kingsville)
Architect: Atlee B. Ayers Year Built: 1914 The Kleberg County courthouse is located in Kingsville, Texas. It was designed by Atlee Ayers of San Antonio, who also designed the courthouses in Refugio County, Jim Wells County, and Cameron County. Ayers also oversaw...
Cameron County Courthouse (Brownsville)
Architect: Atlee B. Ayers Year Built: 1912. The 1912 Cameron County Courthouse is absolutely beautiful. Designed in the Classical style, it is constructed of brown brick and terra cotta that give off a magnificent glow in the Deep South Texas sun. Atlee Ayers was the...
Frio County Courthouse (Pearsall)
Year Built: 1904 major renovation in 1950 Architect: Henry T. Phelps The 1904 Frio County Courthouse is located in Pearsall, Texas, and is the fifth Courthouse to serve the county. It was built in 1904 and majorly remodeled in 1930. It underwent further significant...
Blanco County Courthouse (Johnson City)
Architect: Henry T. Phelps Year Built: 1916 The "new" Blanco County Courthouse was built in Johnson City following relocation of the county seat from Blanco in 1890. This structure replaced the "Old" Blanco County Courthouse designed by F.E. Ruffini and built in...
Schleicher County Courthouse (Eldorado)
Architect: Henry T. Phelps Year Built: 1923-24 The Schleicher County Courthouse is located in the tiny town of Eldorado. The current (1924) courthouse replaced an earlier building which burned in 1917. Phelps also designed Blanco County Courthouse (1916) in Johnson...
BONUS: “Old” Blanco County Courthouse (Blanco)
Architect: Frederick Ernst ("F.E.") Ruffini Year Built: 1886 The "Old" Blanco County Courthouse is located in Blanco, Texas. Completed in 1886, this courthouse only served 4 years. Its predecessor was built in 1860, and its tenure was cut short when in 1890 the...
Webb County Courthouse (Laredo)
Architect: Arthur Giles Year Built: 1909 The Webb County Courthouse is located in downtown Laredo, Texas, not far from the Rio Grande and Mexican border. It was designed by famous architect Alfred Giles, who designed many Texas courthouses. I have handled numerous...
Edwards County Courthouse (Rocksprings)
Architect: Ben Davey and Bruno Schort Year Built: 1891 The Edwards County Courthouse is located in Rocksprings,Texas in the western part of the Texas Hill Country. Rocksprings is situated on top of Edwards Plateau and got its name from the natural Rock Springs that...
La Salle County Courthouse (Cotulla)
Architect: Henry T. Phelps Year Built: 1931 This is the 4th La Salle County Courthouse since the county was created in 1858. All of them have been built in the same location --in the center and the highest point of Cotulla, facing a public square. This courthouse...
Jim Wells County Courthouse (Alice)
Architect: Atlee B. Ayers Year Built: 1912 (cornerstone laid July 25, 1912) This the first and only courthouse that Jim Wells County has had. It is located in Alice, Texas. As of 2021, the courthouse grounds were in fairly bad shape. Massive oak trees were overgrown,...
Yoakum County Courthouse (Plains)
Architect: Wyatt C. Hendrick & Co. Year Built: 1949 Yoakum County Courthouse is located in Plains, Texas, which is in the southern part of the Texas panhandle. It is in far west Texas and borders New Mexico. The City of Plains is 13 miles east of the New Mexico...
Howard County Courthouse (Big Spring)
Architect: Puckett & French. Year Built: 1953. The Howard County Courthouse is located in Big Spring, Texas.
Sterling County Courthouse (Sterling City)
Architect: David S. Castle. Year Built: 1938. The Sterling County Courthouse is located in Sterling City, Texas.
Irion County Courthouse (Mertzon)
Architect: David S. Castle Company. Year Built: 1937. The current Irion County Courthouse is located in Mertzon, Texas. Mertzon has been the County Seat since an election in 1936 moved the seat there. This unimpressive edifice is the second Courthouse to serve Irion...
Hays County Courthouse (San Marcos)
Architect: C.H. Page & Bros. Year Built: 1908. The Hays County Courthouse is located in San Marcos, Texas.
Brewster County Courthouse (Alpine)
Architect: Thomas Lovell. Year Built: 1887. The Brewster County Courthouse is located in Alpine, Texas. From the Historical Marker: "Brewster County Courthouse. Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works Project no. 9604 State Historical Survey Committee Texas...
Medina County Courthouse (Hondo)
Architect: Martin, Byrne & Johnston. Year Built: 1892. The Medina County Courthouse is located in Hondo, Texas. Erected 1854; First permanent courthouse in Castroville, the first seat (1848 - 1892) of Medina County. When built, structure was on Old Road to San...
Jeff Davis County Courthouse (Fort Davis)
Architect: L.L. Thurmon & Co. Year Built: 1910. The Jeff Davis County Courthouse is located in Fort Davis, Texas. Designed by the architectural firm of l. L. Thurman and Co. of Dallas, this building was erected in 1910-1911 and replaced the original 1880 adobe...
Terrell County Courthouse (Sanderson)
Architect: Henry T. Phelps Year Built: 1906 The Terrell County Courthouse is located in the tiny town of Sanderson, Texas. It was significantly remodeled in 1930 and 1983. Sanderson has a colorful history shaped by the coming and going of the railroad and natural...
Kimble County Courthouse (Junction)
Architect: Henry Phelps. Year Built: 1929. The Kimble County Courthouse is located in Junction, Texas. The third courthouse to serve Kimble County, this structure was designed by San Antonio architect Henry Truman Phelps (1871-1944). Between 1904 and the early 1930s,...
Atascosa County Courthouse (Jourdanton)
Architect: Henry T. Phelps Year Built: 1912. The present Atascosa County Courthouse, constructed in 1912–13, was designed by San Antonio architect Henry T. Phelps. It is located in Jourdanton, Texas. This is the only existing Mission Revival style courthouse in Texas....
Washington County Courthouse (Brenham)
Architect: Travis Broesche. Year Built: 1939. The Washington County Courthouse is located in Brenham, Texas. This is one of the very first courthouses that I ever practiced in. In the late 1990s I worked for a law firm that had many cases in Washington County.
Bandera County Courthouse (Bandera)
Architect: B.F. Trester. Year Built: 1890. The Bandera County Courthouse is located in Bandera, Texas.First permanent courthouse for county, which was organized in 1856, but used makeshift quarters for offices and courtrooms until this building was erected 1890-91....
Fayette County Courthouse (La Grange)
Architect: J.Riely Gordon. Year Built: 1891. The Fayette County Courthouse is located in La Grange, Texas. About 1890, the structural safety of Fayette County's third courthouse came into question, and plans began for the building of this structure to serve as the...
Goliad County Courthouse (Goliad)
Architect: Alfred Giles. Year Built: 1894. The Goliad County Courthouse is located in Goliad, Texas. Built 1894. Cost $67,888.95. Limestone and brick from 1870 courthouse were used in this, the fourth one built since county's creation in 1836. Used as hospital after...
Bexar County Courthouse (San Antonio)
Architect: Jame Riely Gordon. Year Built: 1896. The Bexar County Courthouse is located in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE: This is my “home” courthouse. I have taken countless pictures of it, and never tire of taking more! ...
Gonzales County Courthouse (Gonzales)
Architect: J. Riely Gordon. Year Built: 1894. The Gonzales County Courthouse is located in Gonzales, Texas. In county organized 1837, first courthouse burned 1893. This second one was built 1894-1896 at cost of $64,450. Headquarters for many Texas leaders; scene of...
Wilson County Courthouse (Floresville)
Architect: Alfred Giles. Year Built: 1884. The Wilson County Courthouse is located in Floresville, Texas. Constructed in 1884, this courthouse replaced one built soon after Floresville was chosen Wilson County seat in 1871. Designed by noted San Antonio architect...
Caldwell County Courthouse (Lockhart)
Architect: Henry E.M. Guidon (sometimes credited to Alfred Giles). Year Built: 1894. The Caldwell County Courthouse is located in Lockhart, Texas.The first Caldwell County Courthouse was erected on this site in 1848, when the county was organized and named for Mathew...