Historical Marker:
Bee County
Courthouse
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 façade 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.
Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark - 2000
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