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Colorado County
Courthouse
Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2012 |
The Present
Colorado County Courthouse -
Columbus, Texas
Date - 1891
Architect - Eugene
Heiner
Style - Renaissance Revival
The Colorado County Courthouse is a Eugene
Heiner design from 1891. There have been a total of four courthouses,
the first being built in 1836. One
courthouse was to be of pine harvested in Bastrop
and floated down the Colorado, but high water sent the wood floating
right past Columbus (and not a few surprised
carpenters). |
Colorado County
Courthouse
Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2005 |
Historical Marker:
Colorado
County Courthouse
This classic revival
building--erected in 1890-1891 in form of a Greek cross--is now one
of 28 oldest existing courthouses
in Texas' 254 counties.
Contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnson built the structure of brick and
Belton stone. Local Masonic Lodge laid cornerstone.
In 1909 a tornado severely damaged building. Large bell in cupola-clock
tower fell 120 feet and was completely buried in the earth. $15-a-month
job of clock-winder was subsequently canceled. During repairs, present
copper dome was added. In 1939 entire building was remodeled.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969 |
Colorado County
Courthouse in 1939 showing dome
Photo Courtesy TXDoT |
Colorado County
Courthouse with the clock tower
Photo Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
Southeast
corner of the Colorado County courthouse.
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2012 |
Photographer's
Note:
Courthouse Restoration:
"The exterior restoration was completed in 2011 which included
the restoration of the colors on the trim and the brick, cleaning
up of the copper dome and removal of the south side additions. A courthouse
restoration grant awarded to the county in January 2012 will go to
more restoration work on the interior." - Terry
Jeanson, January 2012
"The interior looks the same, basically, but the walls in the
main hallways and the courtroom have been painted green. They restored
all the woodwork and overhauled the electricity and plumbing. (The
basement bathrooms also are a huge improvement.) The clockworks, which
used to be in the main hallway, are now in a room to the right of
the west side entrance." - Terry
Jeanson, May 17, 2014 |
"This inscription
appears in the pediments on all sides."
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2012 |
Courthouse dome
under restoration
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, October 2009 |
1890 Cornerstone
Ceremony Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2012 |
Another early
view of the Colorado County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
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A
view from the NE corner of the Columbus courthouse square
Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
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Girl
strolling Teddy on the Courthouse lawn
1915 photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
Colorado County
Courthouse courtroom
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2008 |
View of the courtroom
skylight from the other side (the attic)
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, May 2014 |
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"I've
photographed this, my favorite Texas courtroom, many times. It wasn't
until a week or two ago that I had an opportunity to climb a 12'
stepladder and get REAL close to this wonderful hanging fixture
under the "Tiffany style" dome." - Jim King, September
2007
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The clockworks
in the main hallway
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, October 2009 |
Does anybody
really know what time it is?
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, October 2009 |
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The
beautiful stained glass dome was covered up with a false ceiling for
many years
Photo Courtesy Colorado County Visitors Bureau |
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