Callahan County Courthouse
Baird, TexasBuilt in 1885 by architect Frederick Ernst Ruffini by contractor Captain James B. Smith (of Austin).
In 1884, F. E. Ruffini recieved a duplicate set of plans for the Tom Green County Courthouse from his brother, Oscar, who had been hired as superintendent of construction for the new courthouse in San Angelo. F. E. was so taken with the design by W. W. Larmour, that he adapted the form to create his plans for the Blanco County Courthouse in Blanco. The design proved so successful, Ruffini quickly presented the plans to two other counties: Callahan and Concho (Dickey, pp. 125-6). Eventually the same plan would be used to construct a total of five courthouses in the state including Sutton and Mills CountiesÔ. Of the five courthouses constructed using the design, three survive: Blanco, Concho, and Sutton Counties'. The Second Empire styled courthouse was laid out on the traditional cross axial plan with wide corridors dividing the ground floor into four equal quadrants. Offices and storage spaces located in these quadrants were allocated to the County and District Clerks, Sheriff, County Treasurer, Tax Assessor, Surveyor, County Judge and chambers for the Commissioners' Court. Stairways at either side of the east-west hall rose simply to a graceful curve at the top. The second floor was occupied by an imposingly scaled courtroom and several jury rooms. On the exterior of the two-story stone structure, the walls were constructed with cream-colored ashlar masonry with cut stone quoins and a cut stone stringcourse which separated the two floors and formed a base for the tall narrow window openings. A wide metal cornice was carried on ornamental brackets. Above the cornice rested the mansard roof rising in three sections and featuring framed circular dormers and metal trim which contrasted with the cornice. Mansard pavillions with wrought iron cresting accented the entry bays. At each elevation the entrances were further emphasized by a triangular pediment. The north and south entries were flanked by projecting bays with cornices slightly higher than the adjacent wall surfaces.
1900: razed and the materials used for a new 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.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
In 1858, the Texas Legislature officially established Callahan County, naming it after James Hughes Callahan, a ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution. The county's early economy relied heavily on agriculture, with cotton being the main cash crop and cattle ranching also playing a significant role.
During the Civil War, like many regions of Texas, Callahan County experienced unrest and hardship. After the war, however, the county quickly recovered, and the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railway in the late 19th century further fueled growth and development. The railroad brought new settlers, boosted trade, and led to the establishment of towns like Baird, Cross Plains, and Clyde.
Throughout the 20th century, Callahan County continued to evolve and diversify its economy. Oil was discovered in the area in the 1920s, leading to the establishment of oilfields and the growth of the petroleum industry. Agriculture remained important, with crops like wheat, milo, and sorghum becoming significant, and ranching continued to thrive.
Today, Callahan County is a vibrant community that honors its history while embracing modern advancements. Its rich agricultural heritage, coupled with a growing oil and gas industry, makes this county a resilient and prosperous area within the state of Texas.
Callahan County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Callahan County, Texas.
- 1854 - Callahan County is created and named after James Hughes Callahan, a Texas Ranger and legislator.
- Late 1850s - Settlers begin to arrive in the area, primarily from the southern United States.
- 1861-1865 - Callahan County, like the rest of Texas, is greatly impacted by the American Civil War.
- 1872 - Baird is established as the county seat.
- Early 1880s - The Texas & Pacific Railway is built through Callahan County, boosting economic growth.
- Early 1900s - Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, becomes a major industry in the county.
- 1923-1924 - Oil is discovered in Callahan County, leading to a boom in production and economic development.
- 1940s - Callahan County experiences a decline in population due to the effects of World War II.
- 1980s-1990s - The economy diversifies with the growth of manufacturing and retail sectors.
- 2000s - Callahan County continues to be primarily rural, with agriculture and oil production playing significant roles in the local economy.