Potter County Courthouses, Amarillo Texas, history, markers, photos. (original) (raw)
The "new" Potter County Courthouse (Potter County Courts Building.) Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
The Present Potter County Courthouse
"This modern-style, concrete and steel building was built between 1984 and 1986 and designed by architects Hucker & Parg�, A.I.A. and Ward-Brown Associates, A.I.A." - Terry Jeanson
Robert Potter was a Secretary of the Texas Navy and was Commander in charge of Galveston. The Spanish gave Amarillo its name, by naming a nearby creek for the Spanish word for yellow.
1932 Potter County Courthouse
Date: 1932
Architect: W.C. Townes of Townes, Lightfoot and Funk of Amarillo
Styl: Art Deco
Material: Concrete and terra cotta
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
West side of the 1932 Potter County courthouse facing Taylor Street
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
Historical Marker - 501 South Taylor, Amarillo:
Potter County Courthouse
Organized in August 1887, Potter County erected its first courthouse in 1888 in old town Amarillo. The building was constructed by Mays, Hightower, and Jackson for a cost of $191. Over the years, three more courthouses were built as Amarillo and Potter County grew. During the 1920's the Panhandle experienced an oil boom. As a result, business increased, the population of Amarillo nearly tripled, and eight sky scrapers were added to the city.
The fifth courthouse in Potter County, this building was designed by Architect W.C. Townes of Townes, Lightfoot and Funk of Amarillo. It was constructed at a cost of $420,000 in 1930-32 by Amarillo builder Charles Lambie. More than 500 laborers, residents of Potter County, applied to work on building the new courthouse.
The Potter County Courthouse is a fine local example of an art deco style institutional building. It exhibits stepped massing from its entrance pavilion to the top of the tower, and skillful use of details that include ornamental figural and botanical bas relief, symmetrical pilasters and metal casement windows.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1996
The east side of the courthouse facing Fillmore Street.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
"Blooming Cactus" over the Potter County Courthouse entrance
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
"The top of the central section on the north side depicts the heads of wolves, also duplicated on the south side. The windows with the bars denotes the location of the former county jail which was in use until 1988."
- Terry Jeanson, 2008 photo
"The top of the central section on the west side depicts a pioneer, two baying wolves and an Indian. These figures are duplicated on the east side as well."
- Terry Jeanson, 2008 photo
"The west and east side (show here) entrances have Art-Deco style chandeliers and cast-aluminum Longhorns over the doors."
- Terry Jeanson, 2008 photo
1932 Potter County Courthouse Entrance
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
Photographer's Note:
The west and east side (shown here) entrances have three panels over the doors with a written dedication. The middle panel reads, "To the Early Settlers of This County, This Building is Respectfully Dedicated." The left panel reads, "Their Efforts were Tireless," and the right panel reads "Their Courage was Undaunted."
- Terry Jeanson, 2008
Potter County Courthouse as it appear in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
 |
Postmaster tells Chicago Doctor about Amarillo's Courthouse Change: "This building has been replaced by a new and very modern eight story courthouse." - (signed) Postmaster, Amarillo, Texas Another view of the 1932 Potter County Courthouse TE postcard archive |
|---|---|
 |
1906 Potter County Courthouse
1906 Potter County Courthouse
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
1906 Potter County Courthouse
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
1906 Potter County courthouse (left)
and the 1922 Potter County library (right)
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, 2008
Photographer's Note:
"This photo of the 1906 Potter County courthouse (left) and the 1922 Potter County library (right) was taken in 1924 and is hanging in the first floor hallway of the 1932 courthouse. In 1915, the dome on the 1906 courthouse was removed and a fourth floor was added. The clocks from the removed dome were placed in the middle part of the roof on the sides of the building as seen in this picture." - Terry Jeanson, March 2008
1896 Potter County Courthouse
Photographer's Note:
This drawing of the 1896 Potter County courthouse is hanging in the first floor hallway of the 1932 courthouse.
The caption below the drawing reads as follows:
This building is courthouse number three (3.) It was built in 1896 and is located at 5th and Bowie. It still stands today. The tower and third floor have been removed and the building has been used by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in the past. -
Terry Jeanson, March 2008
› Book Hotel Here