Hartley County Courthouse, Channing Texas, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. (original) (raw)
The 1906 Hartley County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Historical Marker Texas
Hartley County Courthouse
Hartley County was created in January 1891, and an election held that year designated the town of Hartley as county seat. A frame courthouse was built on the town square.
In October 1896, largely due to XIT Ranch interests, a second election was held which resulted in the removal of the county seat to Channing. The frame courthouse was dismantled and moved to the new county seat, where it was reconstructed.
In May 1905 the commissioners court approved the construction of a new courthouse. Contracts were awarded to Solan & Wickens, contractors, and O. G. Roquemore, architect. The 2-story, structure was completed in October 1906 at a cost of $10,525. The beaux arts style building features a triumphal arch on the front facade, native sandstone base, and Roman Ionic paired columns. When completed, the top story provided a courtroom and two offices, and there were five offices and a lobby on the first floor. At the time of construction, the building was served by its own water well and lighting system. A vault was added to the county clerk's office in 1927. A second vault and jury dormitories were built in 1935.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1987.
Hartley County courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
Hartley County Courthouse Fenced Entrance
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Hartley County Courthouse vintage photo
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
Hartley County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT
Hartley County Courthouse today
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
"Paired Ionic columns and a "triumphal" arch decorate the front entrance." Terry Jeanson, March 2008 photo
"A simple placard over the front entrance, one of the many sandstone details offsetting the building's red brick facing."
- Terry Jeanson, 2008 photo
Courthouse front entrance details
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
"The second floor district courtroom maintains much of the original details and furnishings, including the ornate metal pressed ceiling."
- Terry Jeanson, March 2008 photo
1936 Centennial Highway Marker - Hartley - U.S. 87
Hartley County
Formed from Young and Bexar territories: Created, August 21, 1876. Organized, February 5, 1891. Named in honor of two brothers, Oliver Cromwell and Rufus K. Hartley. Distinguished members of the Texas Bar. Hartley, the county seat.
(1936)
Hartley County Jail
"The current Hartley County jail was built in 1906, at the same time as the current courthouse and with the same materials. It is still in use today.
The privately owned 1892 brick and sandstone jail in the first county seat of Hartley also still stands." -
Terry Jeanson, March, 2008