Waller County Courthouse (Hempstead)

Architect:  Herbert Voelcker.

Year Built: 1955.

The Waller County Courthouse is located in Hempstead, Texas. It is a somewhat plain structure, but I found its clean lines and contrasting colors to be somewhat attractive. Maybe this is because I was fortunate enough to visit at the golden hour on an early fall day.

The current courthouse replaced a magnificent structure built in 1894.

Text of the centennial Marker on the courthouse grounds:

Created from Austin and Grimes counties, April 28, and organized August 16, 1873, Waller County was named for Edwin Waller (1800-1861), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836; postmaster general, Texas Republic; first mayor of Austin.  Also the site of rich 1831-1874, Groce plantations, later home of sculptress Elisabet Ney.  The county seat Hempstead was founded in 1857 during the building of the Houston & Texas Railroad, an important transportation center.  Since 1876, the county has been the site of Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College.  Economy is based on industry, diversified agricultural and oil production. (Information from THC Subject Marker files)