Comal County Courthouse

Built in 1898 in Romanesque Revival architectual style by architect J. Riely Gordon by contractor Fischer & Lambie, Austin.

The Comal County Courthouse, designed by J. Riely Gordon in the Romanesque Revival style, was constructed in 1898. Rather than being placed in the center of the town square, the courthouse was built on the northeast corner of the square. This placement on the square was in keeping with the German traditions of the area's settlers and allowed the plaza to be used for market and celebration purposes. While modernized, the interior spaces still reveal the original concept of the Greek-cross plan. On the second floor, the district courtroom, which originally had a two-story ceiling height, is expressed by a curved mass. All of the spaces radiate from a central core containing an open stairwell that continues up into the stone tower atop the building. This design was employed to facilitate natural ventilation by allowing hot air to rise and vent through the tower, giving the tower the role of not only unifying the courthouse massing but also serving a functional purpose. The exterior walls are of native limestone with a rusticated finish and are complemented by cut-stone lintels and delicate stringcourse moldings. The dormers, incorporating carved engaged columns, add to the picturesque quality of the building and relieve the austerity of the roof forms. A dentil course provides a delicate accent at the cornice of the main walls as well as at the cornice of the tower. Similar in design to many of Gordon's Texas courthouses, the Comal County Courthouse contains two, two-story, quarter-circular entrance galleries, which are set into the southeast and southwest re-entrant angles, and two, three-story, quarter-circular bays, which are set into the northeast and northwest re-entrant angles. The entrance porches are supported by polished Syrian columns of pink granite. Above the columns are capitals with handsomely carved Sullivanesque details. An addition constructed in 1966 has obscured the northeast and northwest entrance bays. A brick parapet with punched brick details crown each bay. The southeast and southwest entrances maintain their original design, although aluminum and glass doors have replaced the original paneled wooden doors. The roofing of the structure has also been replaced. In 1930, A. C. Moeller was awarded the contract to build a jail which was to be attached to the courthouse. Although less than an ideal placement, through the use of limestone and compatible details, the addition harmonizes with the courthouse.

1930: jail addition constructed-Roof replaced-Remodeled by architect Schmidt in 1966: aluminum and glass doors replaced original wooden doors, NW, NE, and SE entrances modified.-Elevator replaced1986: Courthouse annex built adjacent to the old building and a pedestrian bridge was built linking the third floor of each building.

Current status: Active Courthouse