Coryell County Courthouse
Public Sq., Gatesville, TXThe Coryell County Courthouse has local historical importance and regional architectural significance. It has been the center of governmental activities since its completion and continues to serve these functions. It was designed by a prominent Texas architect and has no counterpart in the state. Comprised of curved and rectangular forms, and incorporating a combination of Romanesque and classical details, as well as polychromatic materials, the edifice is one of the most interesting and charming nineteenth-century courthouses in the Southwest.
Coryell County, named for James Coryell, an early explorer of the region, was organized in 1854. Gatesville, the county seat, grew up around Fort Gates, established in 1849 to protect settlers from marauding Indians. After the incorporation of the county, public business was for a time conducted from rented offices and commercial buildings. Land for a courthouse square was acquired and a one-story framed structure was constructed in 1865 on a corner presently occupied by a city filling station. In 1872, a two-story structure of native white limestone was erected on this property and served as a focus of county business for the next twenty-five years. The second courthouse, built at a cost of $11,000 had four rooms defined by intersecting main halls on the first floor with jury and courtrooms above.
On May 15, 1897, architect w.C. Dodson was commissioned to draw plans and specifications for a third courthouse at a contract price of three and a half percent of the total building cost. The only stipulations imposed on the architect were that the building has a cupola on top with a Seth Thomas clock and a bell of not less than 800 pounds, and that the building is roofed in metal with the dome on the cupola in clad copper. In addition, there were to be dual statues of Liberty and Justice at the north and south entrances.
On October 2, 1897, a hollow cornerstone was laid with a full Masonic ritual. The stone was placed on the northeast corner of the building; its orientation was, in the ceremonial us age, symbolic of light. It was positioned at the accompaniment of music and after suitable orations were sprinkled with corn, wine, and oil, emblematic of plenty of health and peace. It was blue-grey granite weighing 1,825 pounds. Among the inscriptions on its surface were the dates Anno Domini and the Masonic Anno Lucis. Inside was a box of articles representative of the character of the period. Included was a photo of the old courthouse, two boxes of medicine, a copy of the Dallas Morning News an 1897 five-cent piece, a bottle of whiskey, and a list of Women's Christian Temperance Union officers along with a Columbian half-dollar and Masonic Lodge Bible.
The courthouse was completed on July 18, 1898, at a cost of $73,649.69 by contractor Thomas Lovell. Constructed of native limestone and red sandstone, the blocks were cut to size at the quarry and hauled to the site by horse-drawn wagons.
The courthouse today continues to serve its original function (1977).
Local significance of the building:
Coryell County, named for James Coryell, an early explorer of the region, was organized in 1854. Gatesville, the county seat, grew up around Fort Gates, established in 1849 to protect settlers from marauding Indians. After the incorporation of the county, public business was for a time conducted from rented offices and commercial buildings. Land for a courthouse square was acquired and a one-story framed structure was constructed in 1865 on a corner presently occupied by a city filling station. In 1872, a two-story structure of native white limestone was erected on this property and served as a focus of county business for the next twenty-five years. The second courthouse, built at a cost of $11,000 had four rooms defined by intersecting main halls on the first floor with jury and courtrooms above.
On May 15, 1897, architect w.C. Dodson was commissioned to draw plans and specifications for a third courthouse at a contract price of three and a half percent of the total building cost. The only stipulations imposed on the architect were that the building has a cupola on top with a Seth Thomas clock and a bell of not less than 800 pounds, and that the building is roofed in metal with the dome on the cupola in clad copper. In addition, there were to be dual statues of Liberty and Justice at the north and south entrances.
On October 2, 1897, a hollow cornerstone was laid with a full Masonic ritual. The stone was placed on the northeast corner of the building; its orientation was, in the ceremonial us age, symbolic of light. It was positioned at the accompaniment of music and after suitable orations were sprinkled with corn, wine, and oil, emblematic of plenty of health and peace. It was blue-grey granite weighing 1,825 pounds. Among the inscriptions on its surface were the dates Anno Domini and the Masonic Anno Lucis. Inside was a box of articles representative of the character of the period. Included was a photo of the old courthouse, two boxes of medicine, a copy of the Dallas Morning News an 1897 five-cent piece, a bottle of whiskey, and a list of Women's Christian Temperance Union officers along with a Columbian half-dollar and Masonic Lodge Bible.
The courthouse was completed on July 18, 1898, at a cost of $73,649.69 by contractor Thomas Lovell. Constructed of native limestone and red sandstone, the blocks were cut to size at the quarry and hauled to the site by horse-drawn wagons.
The courthouse today continues to serve its original function (1977).
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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About Coryell County
Coryell County Timeline
Coryell County, located in central Texas, has a rich and diverse history. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche. The first European explorers arrived in the 18th century, with the Spanish establishing missions in the region. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that permanent settlements began to develop.
During the Texas Revolution and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Texas, Coryell County saw significant growth. The area attracted pioneers and settlers who were drawn by the fertile land along the rivers. In 1854, the county was officially organized and named after James Coryell, an early frontiersman who was known for exploring and surveying the area.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Coryell County experienced periods of prosperity and challenges. Agriculture, particularly cotton production, played a significant role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century enhanced the county's connectivity and spurred growth in trade and commerce.
The county also contributed to the military history of Texas. During World War II, Camp Hood (now Fort Hood) was established in the southern part of Coryell County. The military installation has had a profound impact on the local economy, serving as an economic engine and a significant employer for the region.
Today, Coryell County continues to thrive as a vibrant community. It is home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes. The county's rich history can be seen in its historic buildings, museums, and landmarks, all of which provide a glimpse into the past and contribute to the county's unique cultural identity.
During the Texas Revolution and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Texas, Coryell County saw significant growth. The area attracted pioneers and settlers who were drawn by the fertile land along the rivers. In 1854, the county was officially organized and named after James Coryell, an early frontiersman who was known for exploring and surveying the area.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Coryell County experienced periods of prosperity and challenges. Agriculture, particularly cotton production, played a significant role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century enhanced the county's connectivity and spurred growth in trade and commerce.
The county also contributed to the military history of Texas. During World War II, Camp Hood (now Fort Hood) was established in the southern part of Coryell County. The military installation has had a profound impact on the local economy, serving as an economic engine and a significant employer for the region.
Today, Coryell County continues to thrive as a vibrant community. It is home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes. The county's rich history can be seen in its historic buildings, museums, and landmarks, all of which provide a glimpse into the past and contribute to the county's unique cultural identity.
Coryell County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Coryell County, Texas.
- 1854 - Coryell County is established by the Texas legislature.
- 1859 - The county seat, Gatesville, is established.
- 1861-1865 - The American Civil War impacts Coryell County, leading to economic hardships.
- 1872 - The Texas Central Railroad is completed, boosting the county's economy.
- 1882 - The first county courthouse is constructed.
- 1905 - The original county courthouse is replaced with a new building.
- 1929 - The Coryell County Museum opens, showcasing the area's history.
- 1942-1946 - The county experiences growth during World War II due to the establishment of Camp Hood (now Fort Hood).
- 1963 - The current county courthouse is built, replacing the 1905 building.
- 1997 - The Coryell County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.