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The restored
Franklin County Courthouse
Photo courtesy William Deneke, September 2014 |
The Present
Franklin County Courthouse
- Mount Vernon, Texas
Date - 1912
Architect - L. L. Thurman, Dallas
Style - Classical Revival
Photographer's Note:
"The 1909
Carson County courthouse in Panhandle,
Texas was similar to the current 1912 Franklin County courthouse.
The exterior of this courthouse has been restored after receiving
a grant for over $2,000,000 from the Texas Historical Commission in
2010. A grant for over $3,000,000 in 2012 went to interior restoration
work which should be completed by 2013." - Terry
Jeanson
Update:
"The newly restored Franklin County courthouse was rededicated
on September 20, 2014" - Terry
Jeanson |
Franklin County
Courthouse with a chiming clock as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy of TXDoT |
Franklin County
Courthouse Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2006 |
Historical Marker
Franklin County
Courthouse
Mt.
Vernon was established in 1849 on land donated by Stephen and
Rebecca Keith, and a public square was surveyed in the 24-acre plat.
When Franklin County
was created in 1875, Mt. Vernon was
voted county seat, and a wooden building northeast of the square was
used as the first courthouse. Lots on the block north of the square
were soon purchased for $150 for a 2-story wooden jail costing $1,600.
In 1878 a brick courthouse was built on the square at a cost of $5,500.
In 1910 county commissioners ordered an election to decide the building
of a new courthouse and jail. The commissioners' court then rescinded
that order, called for construction warrants to be issued without
election, and levied a property tax to pay for the new buildings.
Citizens filed suit against the county, and in January, 1911, the
district court prevented construction from proceeding.
An appellate court overturned the decision and by December, 1911,
the Texas Supreme Court had affirmed this method of financing county
buildings. Within days of the landmark decision, Franklin
County commissioners awarded a contract to L. R. Wright & Co.
to construct this courthouse and adjacent jail. The buildings were
completed in 1912 at a cost of $55,000.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 |
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"The restored
courthouse clock tower dome."
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, September 2014 |
The dome in
2006
The date of county organization, 1875, which is etched into the window,
is correct. The time on the clock faces during my visit, was not."
-
Terry
Jeanson, December 2006 photo |
Franklin County
Courthouse in 2005 before restoration
Photo courtesy Lori
Martin, December 2005 |
West view of
the restored Franklin County Courthouse
Photo courtesy William Deneke, September 2014 |
Same view of
the courthouse in 2002
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2002 |
Looking towards
the balcony in the restored district courtroom.
"One of the contractors that I talked to said the official colors
of the courtroom were Odessa Pink and Kind Green."
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson , September 2014 |
Restored district
courtroom seen from the balcony.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson , September 2014 |
The district
courtroom in 2006, seen from the upper gallery.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2006 |
View of Franklin
County Courthouse from across the square
Photo courtesy William Deneke, September 2014 |
"During
the rededication ceremony, I came across this photo of Franklin County's
first courthouse which was built in 1875."
- Terry
Jeanson, September 2014 |
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