Columbus Texas Colorado County Courthouse. (original) (raw)
Colorado County Courthouse
Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2012
The Present Colorado County Courthouse -
Date - 1891
Architect - Eugene Heiner
Style - Renaissance Revival
The Colorado County Courthouse is a Eugene Heiner design from 1891. There have been a total of four courthouses, the first being built in 1836.
One courthouse was to be of pine harvested in Bastrop and floated down the Colorado, but high water sent the wood floating right past Columbus (and not a few surprised carpenters).
Colorado County Courthouse
Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2005
Historical Marker:
Colorado County Courthouse
This classic revival building--erected in 1890-1891 in form of a Greek cross--is now one of 28 oldest existing courthouses in Texas' 254 counties.
Contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnson built the structure of brick and Belton stone. Local Masonic Lodge laid cornerstone.
In 1909 a tornado severely damaged building. Large bell in cupola-clock tower fell 120 feet and was completely buried in the earth. $15-a-month job of clock-winder was subsequently canceled. During repairs, present copper dome was added. In 1939 entire building was remodeled.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969
Colorado County Courthouse in 1939 showing dome
Photo Courtesy TXDoT
Colorado County Courthouse with the clock tower
Photo Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library
Southeast corner of the Colorado County courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2012
Photographer's Note:
Courthouse Restoration:
"The exterior restoration was completed in 2011 which included the restoration of the colors on the trim and the brick, cleaning up of the copper dome and removal of the south side additions. A courthouse restoration grant awarded to the county in January 2012 will go to more restoration work on the interior." -
Terry Jeanson, January 2012
"The interior looks the same, basically, but the walls in the main hallways and the courtroom have been painted green. They restored all the woodwork and overhauled the electricity and plumbing. (The basement bathrooms also are a huge improvement.) The clockworks, which used to be in the main hallway, are now in a room to the right of the west side entrance." -
Terry Jeanson, May 17, 2014
"This inscription appears in the pediments on all sides."
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2012
Courthouse dome under restoration
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, October 2009
1890 Cornerstone Ceremony Marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2012
Another early view of the Colorado County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library
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A view from the NE corner of the Columbus courthouse square Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
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Girl strolling Teddy on the Courthouse lawn 1915 photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library |
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Colorado County Courthouse courtroom
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, April 2008
View of the courtroom skylight from the other side (the attic)
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, May 2014
"I've photographed this, my favorite Texas courtroom, many times. It wasn't until a week or two ago that I had an opportunity to climb a 12' stepladder and get REAL close to this wonderful hanging fixture under the "Tiffany style" dome." - Jim King, September 2007
The clockworks in the main hallway
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, October 2009
Courthouse Restoration
Does anybody really know what time it is?
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, October 2009
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The beautiful stained glass dome was covered up with a false ceiling for many years Photo Courtesy Colorado County Visitors Bureau |
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