|
The 1916 Lipscomb
County courthouse
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March, 2008 |
Lipscomb County
Courthouse
County Seat - Lipscomb,
Texas
Date - 1916
Architect - W. M. Rice
Style - Classical Revival
Material - Brick & concrete
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000 |
The 1916 Lipscomb
County courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo
courtesy TXDoT |
Lipscomb County
Courthouse
Historical Market
Text:
Established in 1886 and organized the following year
with Lipscomb as county seat, Lipscomb
County was named for Abner S. Lipscomb, an associate justice of
the Texas Supreme Court in the 1840s-1850s. A one-story wood frame
building served as the first county courthouse.
During the first decade of the 20th century, the number of farms and
ranches in the county more than doubled, and the population more than
tripled that of the 1900 census. In 1915, county voters approved the
issuance of bonds for a new, larger courthouse to serve the governmental
functions of a growing county. The commissioners court selected William
M. Rice of Amarillo
as both architect and general contractor for the project. Edward S.
Altmiller, who had been the contractor for the 1910 Lipscomb County
jail, served as construction superintendent.
Rice designed the courthouse in the Classical Revival style, with
style-defining features such as the arched doorway and the triangular
pediment supported by Doric order columns over the entrance. Design
and construction took place primarily during 1916, with final details
completed in early 1917.
Despite its status as the smallest town in the county, largely the
result of being bypassed by the railroad, Lipscomb retains its designation
as county seat. The Lipscomb County courthouse, which dominates the
town site, continues to function as the center of government and politics
for county residents.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000 |
 |
Lipscomb
County Courthouse Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March, 2008 |
The courthouse
today
Photo courtesy Rob McLain, 2007 |
SW corner of
the courthouse showing the elevator shaft that was later attached
to the courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March, 2008 |
West side portico
detail
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March, 2008 |
|
|
HOME
