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The Present
Hardeman County Courthouse
Quanah, Texas
Date
- 1908
Architect - R. H. Stuckey
Style - Beaux-Arts
Material - Brick
Texas Historical Landmark
The stately 1908 Courthouse reflects the pride felt by Hardemaners
when they moved the County Seat from Margaret.
Residence for voting was determined by where one had one's laundry
done. It was a clean election.
The Hardeman County courthouse received an exterior restoration which
was completed in 2011. An interior restoration grant was awarded to
Hardeman County
in 2012.
Hardeman
County Courthouse Historical Marker |
Hardeman County
Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Hardeman County
Courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 |
Historical Marker:
Hardeman County
Courthouse
Hardeman
County was created in 1858 and named for
early Texas legislators Bailey and Thomas Jones Hardeman. It was not
organized, however, until 1884 when the population had increased enough
to have a formal county government. The community of Margaret
(now in Foard County) was selected as first county seat, but after
the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway laid out the townsite of Quanah
along its line, voters elected to move the county seat to Quanah
in 1890.
A 1906 bond election secured funds for the construction of a new building
to replace the 1890 county courthouse. The Commissioners Court selected
architect R. H. Stuckey of Chillicothe and Tom Lovell & Sons of Denton
to design and construct the building, respectively. Stuckey used a
domed cupola, stone lintels over the windows, and ionic columns flanking
the entryways to execute his Neoclassical design for the courthouse.
Built of glazed tan brick with a raised basement of Indiana limestone,
it was completed in 1908.
Since its construction, the Hardeman County Courthouse has served
as the center of politics and government for county residents. The
square is a focal point for local festivals and community events.
An anchor in Quanah's downtown historic district,
the 1908 courthouse continues as a significant part of the community's
architectural heritage.
Recorder Texas Historical Landmark - 2001 |
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The courthouse
from the northeast corner
Terry
Jeanson, March 2012 |
The courthouse
from the northwest corner.
Terry
Jeanson, March 2012 |
"The front
of the 1908 Hardeman County courthouse. The rear of the courthouse
does not have an inset portico like the front."
- Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 photo |
Hardeman County
Courthouse dome
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, October 2002 |
"Although
there have been modern renovations to the interior, the main floor
still retains its metal-pressed ceiling."
- Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 photo |
Hardeman County
Courthouse district courtroom
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 |
1936 Hardeman
County Centennial Marker located in a park on the western edge of
Quanah.
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2009 |
Centennial Marker
Hardeman County
Created February
1, 1858, recreated August 21, 1876. Organized December 30, 1884. Named
in honor of Bailey Hardeman, 1785-1836, signer of the Texas Congress
and Legislature. County seat, Margarette, 1884-1890; Quanah, since,
in honor of Quahah
Parker, a Comanche
Chief. |
Quanah
Parker Monument
On the Courthouse Square, dedicated in 1991, this tells the story
of Indian captive, Cynthia
Parker, her recapture and subsequent death, and her son who became
the
last great Comanche Chief. One of the most interesting stories
in a state known for interesting stories. |
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