Historic Courthouse

Archer County Courthouse

Archer City, Texas

Built in 1892 in Romanesque Revival architectual style by architect Alonzo N. Dawson by contractor J.S. DeWees and Jacob Rath, Throckmorton.

Designed by A. N. Dawson, the Archer County Courthouse was constructed from 1891 to 1892. It was similar to many courthouses built during the late nineteenth century. Two intersecting corridors divide the ground story into four quadrants in which the tax office, tax assessor, county and district clerks, and commissioners' court are located. On the second floor, a corridor separates the district courtroom, positioned with the bench adjacent to the south wall, and a row of offices located on the north side. Stairways flank the east and west sides of the courtroom. Brown quarry-faced sandstone from a nearby quarry covers the exterior walls of the three-story courthouse. Triple arches mark the east and west entrances while double arches enunciate the north and south entrances. Roman arches with strong extrados span the openings of the four corner pavilions. Originally on the second story, round-arched openings resembling a Palladian motif were centered in the south and north elevations. At that time, these openings were surmounted by a balustrade. The courthouse has since been remodeled with some of the arches on the second story replaced with lintels and a third story added. As originally constructed, each of the four corner pavilions was topped by a roof with a convex curvature and bull's-eye windows. A massive octagonal tower, clad in sheet metal, rose from the center of the courthouse, displaying four clock faces and a cupola. The courthouse was remodeled in 1925 and in 1960. The tower and roofs over the corner pavilions were removed in the early alteration. Today the gable roofs of the third floor are clad in clay tile. The openings for the original windows have been filled in with stone, and the original windows have been replaced with smaller, unsympathetic metal versions.

1928: Second Empire influenced details, central tower, and mansard roofs removed, and third floor added. Second floor arches were replaced with flat lintels. 1960: remodeling closed some windows. In 1985 ADA improvements: ramps and elevator added. ISTEA Grant - Exterior restoration, landscaping, construction of new sidewalks and seats, rebuilding curb, installing signs and exterior lights. Project scheduled to be let in August 1998.

Current status: Active Courthouse

The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) nationally recognized and award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun restoring these treasured historic landmarks. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today more than 240 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

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Archer County, located in northern Texas, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The area was originally home to various Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Wichita. Spanish explorers began to venture into the region in the 18th century, followed by American settlers in the 19th century.

The county was officially established in 1858 and named after Branch Tanner Archer, a Texas commissioner to the United States. During the mid-1800s, the region became a hotspot for ranching and cattle drives, with several cattle trails passing through Archer County, such as the Chisholm Trail and the Western Trail. This era contributed to the growth of small towns and the development of the agriculture industry.

In the late 1800s, the discovery of oil fields in the region brought significant economic growth and prosperity to Archer County. Oil wells were drilled, and industries related to the oil business, such as refineries, were established. The oil boom transformed Archer County from a primarily agricultural area into a thriving petroleum hub.

Throughout the 20th century, Archer County experienced ups and downs in its economic growth, with fluctuations in the oil industry affecting the local economy. However, the county has maintained its rural character and has continued to be a hub for agriculture, ranching, and oil production. Today, Archer County is known for its picturesque landscapes, small towns, and historical sites that showcase its vibrant past.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Archer County, Texas.

  • 1800s: Archer County originally inhabited by various Native American tribes.
  • 1874: Archer County officially established and named after Branch Tanner Archer, a Texas statesman.
  • Late 1800s: Ranching and farming become the primary economic activities in Archer County.
  • 1886: The Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway reaches Archer City, the county seat.
  • 1890s: Oil is discovered in Archer County, leading to the growth of the petroleum industry.
  • 1919: Archer County experiences a population boom due to the oil boom in the region.
  • 1926: The discovery of the Electra oilfield in Archer County leads to increased oil extraction and economic prosperity.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression negatively impacts Archer County as oil prices plummet and businesses suffer.
  • 1950s: Archer County experiences another oil boom, bringing economic growth and development.
  • 1970s: Agriculture continues to be a significant contributor to Archer County's economy, with cattle and wheat production flourishing.
  • 2000s: Archer County's economy diversifies with the growth of healthcare, education, and other service sectors.
  • Present: Archer County remains a rural community with a mixture of oil and agriculture as key industries, while also supporting tourism and outdoor recreational activities.