Refugio County courthouse, Refugio Texas. (original) (raw)

The 1919 Refugio County Courthouse
obscured by the trees.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2005

Refugio County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT

Photographer's Note: "The 1919 Refugio County courthouse:
The north and south side additions built in the early 1950s have greatly altered the appearance (and appeal) of the original building." - Terry Jeanson

There have been 5 courthouses for Refugio County. The 1880 courthouse was supposedly burned by county employees when the commissioners refused to build a new one. See historical marker below:

Refugio County Courthouses historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2005

Historical Marker Text

Refugio County Courthouses

The county and city of Refugio are named after the Spanish Mission De Nuestra Se�ora Del Refugio (the Mission of our Lady of Refuge) established here in 1795. The Spanish mission building served as Refugio County's courthouse at various times form 1837 to 1848.

Construction of a permanent county courthouse began about 1850 here on the town's central plaza, dedicated for municipal buildings when Refugio was a Mexican pueblo (1821-1836). The one-story courthouse, made from shell concrete and cypress lumber, was enlarged to a two-story structure in the late 1850s. A new courthouse, built in the mid-1870s, burned in 1879 and was replaced with a new structure in the late 1850s. A new courthouse, built in the mid-1870s, burned in 1879 and was replaced with a new structure in 1880. The fifth Refugio County courthouse, designed by San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres and built by local contractor W.H. Borglud, was completed at this site in December 1917.

In the 1920s oil and natural gas were discovered in significant quantities throughout Refugio County. The burgeoning oil and gas industries led to an increase in population and business activity in the county, and in the 1950s the county courthouse was expanded with the addition of north and south wings. Refugio County courthouse continues its traditional role as the county's governmental and judical center.

Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995

Refugio County Courthouse entrance
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January 2005

"This vintage picture of the courthouse in its original condition is hanging in the foyer at the front entrance."
- Terry Jeanson, , August 08, 2008

Old postcard view of the 1911 Refugio County Courthouse
Courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/