Roberts County Courthouse, Miami Texas. (original) (raw)
The front of the 1913 Roberts County courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 12, 2008
Roberts County Courthouse
Date - 1913
Architect - Elmer George Withers
Style - Classical revival
Miami was declared county seat in 1889. The election was nullified in December of that year, and Parnell became county seat until 1898, when Miami regained the position.
Roberts County courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Historical Marker:
Roberts County Courthouse
Prominently sited atop a grassy slope overlooking the town of Miami, the Roberts County Courthouse was built in 1913, during a time of regional economic development spurred by the oil and ranching industries. One of six Texas courthouses designed by architect Elmer George Withers of Stamford, the Roberts County Courthouse features Beaux Arts styling with simple Classical features. As the center of social and governmental activity for this rural county, the building has played an important role in the county's history.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000
Photographer's Note:
The Roberts County courthouse also serves as a library which is located on the bottom floor.
In 2008, Roberts County received approval for a grant from the Texas Historical Commission which will be used to restore the interior of the courthouse to its original condition. Some of the other anticipated improvements will include a new parking lot, new heating and air conditioning and re-landscaping, including the removal of the vegetation around the building.
One of the other Texas county courthouses designed by Withers is the twin to this courthouse in Marion County, built in 1912. The main differences include a side portico on the Marion County courthouse and the spacious, hilltop vantage point of the Roberts County courthouse versus the crowded downtown location of the Marion County courthouse in the county seat of Jefferson.
After five years of traveling around Texas, this was my last courthouse to photograph (March 12, 2008), having visited all 254 counties in the state to photograph the county courthouses. -
"This is me holding a sign that I hastily made before leaving home that says "254," marking the 254th (and last) Texas county I visited to photograph county courthouses. This picture was taken by Roberts County District and County Clerk, Toni Rankin. Toni wanted to call the local newspaper so I could be interviewed about finishing my courthouse journey, but I decided on just a photo instead."
- Terry Jeanson, March 2008
"Before leaving, I got the autographs of all of the Roberts County employees working in the courthouse at the time of my visit to mark the end of my courthouse journey."
- Terry Jeanson, March 2008
The 1913 Roberts County courthouse back view
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Northwest side of Roberts County courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Southwest side of Roberts County courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
Roberts County courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT
The 1913 brick courthouse replace the 1889 wooden courthouse shown below.
Photo courtesy THC
The 1889 Roberts County Courthouse
Roberts County's first courthouse
Photo courtesy THC