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The 1914 Anderson
County Courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Lori
Martin, December 2005 |
The 1914
Anderson County Courthouse
- Palestine,
Texas
The Courthouse
is an imposing 1914 structure in the Renaissance Revival Style; somewhat
unusual is the choice of brick over stone.
Architect: C. H. Page & Brothers
The
1886 Anderson County Courthouse > |
Anderson County
courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 |
Historical
Marker
Anderson County
Courthouse
Created by the
Texas Legislature on March 24, 1846, Anderson
County was named for former Republic of Texas Vice President Kenneth
L. Anderson. The first court in the new county was held in a log house
at nearby Fort
Houston in 1846.
The first Anderson County Courthouse, a one-story frame structure,
was built in 1847. Located on the northeast corner of the square,
it was replaced by a two-story brick courthouse in 1856. A third courthouse,
also brick, was completed in 1886 but was destroyed by fire in 1913.
The fourth and present Anderson County Courthouse was built in 1913-14.
Designed by the Austin
architectural firm of Charles Page & Bro., it was dedicated on December
20, 1914. The Beaux-Arts style building features giant order Ionic
columns and pedimented porticoes on each facade, and is topped by
a dome surmounted by a Justice statue.
Still in use as the seat of justice for Anderson
County, the courthouse underwent major restoration in 1986. The
historically and architecturally significant building serves as a
source of pride for county residents.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1988 |
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Anderson County
Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Anderson County
Courthouse dome
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 |
Anderson County
Courthouse Dome
Photographer's
Note:
Of all the courthouses I've photographed, I've been inside 98% of
them. ...I try to find interesting things on the inside to photograph,
but some of them are just plain boring. I see why people don't go
inside, especially if time is their major concern, but I would have
missed so many interesting things if I hadn't.
The Anderson County courthouse in Palestine
is a good example. There is an amazing spiral staircase in the center
of the building with a beautiful stained glass skylight at the bottom
of the dome. (See "Dome" photo above) The district courtroom,
while modern, has a delicately painted mural at the rear of the
two story room and the outside hall is covered with the personal
collection of Judge Bascom Bentley, including historical photos,
autographs of celebrities and politicians, newspaper clippings and
photos of the Judge posing with state and local politicans, community
leaders and sports teams. The courthouses with these things on the
inside have proven to be some of my favorites even if they weren't
so hot on the outside. - Terry
Jeanson, San Antonio, Texas, May 24, 2006
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Anderson County
courthouse district courtroom
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 |
"A topographical
map of Texas along with the state's abundant wildlife has been painted
on the floor at the bottom of the spiral staircase."
- Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 photo |
"The courthouse's
central dome with statue of Themis. The architects, C.H. Page and
Brother, used the same statue for their courthouses
in Fort Bend and Hays
counties."
- Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 photo |
Anderson County
courthouse entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 |
Another view
of the Anderson County Courthouse
TE Photo, 2002 |
| The 1886Courthouse
was desigend by W.C.
Dodson, one of the more famous and prolific courthouse architects
of the age. This building was not razed, but fell to arson. |
"This photo
of the 1885-86 Anderson County courthouse is part of a collection
of historic photos displayed in the small district courtroom on the
fourth floor."
- Terry
Jeanson, August 2009 |
The cornerstone
of the 1885-86 Anderson County courthouse sits at the west side entrance.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, August, 2009
More Texas
Cornerstones |
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