Falls County Courthouse Marlin Texas. (original) (raw)

Falls County courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson , December 2005

The Present Falls County Courthouse

Marlin, Texas
Date - 1939
Architect - Arthur E. Thomas
Style - Modern
Material - Concrete, brick and stone

Falls County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT

Historical Marker:

Falls County Courthouse

The Texas legislature created Falls County in 1850. The first courthouse was a log cabin, possibly located on this site. In 1855 the county seat (then Adams) was renamed Marlin, and construction was completed on what became the courthouse square. The second courthouse, built of native white cedar, burned about 1870. The third courthouse was completed by 1876 but was damaged in an 1886 storm. Houston architect Eugene Heiner drew the plans for a fourth courthouse, which was completed in 1888. It deteriorated quickly, and county officials began to seek funding for a new edifice. Work began on a fifth Falls County courthouse in 1938.

A county bond issue for $130,000 was matched with a 45% Public Works Administration grant in 1938. The cornerstone was leveled by the Grand Lodge of Texas, A. F. & A. M., on July 4, 1939, and the building was completed by December. Much of the fa�ade is Austin shellstone; Texas pink granite makes up the entry steps. The courthouse was designed in the Art Moderne style by architect Arthur E. Thomas of Dallas, and was constructed by San Antonio contractors Hill and Combs. Its symmetrical fa�ade is dominated by a three-story central entry tower with key pattern stonework across the tower parapet. Among its unusual features are the massive shellstone entry surrounds and decorative corner pilasters. Arthur E. Thomas designed various other notable structures in Texas from the late 1930s to 1970, including other courthouses and projects for the Marlin Independent School District. The 1939 Falls County courthouse continues to serve as the center of county government.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-2000

Falls County Courthouse Historical Marker on the courthouse ground
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2004

Another early view of the Falls County Courthouse
1940s postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/

The 1888 Falls County courthouse bell and cornerstone on the courthouse lawn
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November, 2004

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