Smith County Courthouse, Tyler, Texas. (original) (raw)

The 1955 Smith County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, 2005

The Present Smith County Courthouse

Date - 1955
Architect - Thomas Jameson & Merrell
Style - Modern
Material - Concrete, brick and stone

Smith County

"Tyler, settled in the 1840s, owes its name to President John Tyler. Smith County, of which Tyler has been the only county seat, was created in 1846 from part of what is now Nacogdoches County. the county was named for General James Smith, a Texas Revolution leader who was serving in the Republic of Texas Congress when the county was named for him."
From Tyler: A drive with beauty and history by Bob Bowman
"The East Texas Sunday Drive Book"

The 1910 Smith County Courthouse

The 1910 Smith County Courthouse
1939 photo courtesy of TXDoT

Vintage postcard featuring the 1910 Smith County courthouse. On display at the historic 1881 Smith County jail (now a lawyer's office) at 309 E. Erwin.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson , July 2007

Prints of these oil paintings of the 1910 Smith County courthouse are also on display inside the old Smith County jail.
Terry Jeanson, July 2007

Another view of the 1910 Smith County Courthouse
1912 postcard courtesy THC

In what may be the only photo of its kind, the previous Smith County courthouse retains its dignity even while being dismantled in front of its replacement in 1955.
Photo Courtesy Smith County Historical Society

The 1851 Smith County Courthouse

"After a series of three log cabins over five years served as the county courthouse, the cornerstone was laid in December 1851, for a new courthouse, Tyler�s first brick structure. The two-story building was 40 feet by 70 feet and sat in the middle of the square. In 1876 a third story was added, as well as a clock tower that never had a timepiece installed." - From "Tyler" by Robert E. Reed Jr.

East Side of the Smith County Courthouse c. 1876
"A clock tower rising 65 feet above the ground was also added, though no clock was ever installed."
Photo Courtesy Smith County Historic Society

View of a circus parade circling the town square c. 1904 taken from the roof of the Smith County Courthouse.
Photo Courtesy Smith County Historical Society
See Tyler, Texas