Dallam County Courthouse
Jct. of Fifth and Denrock Sts., Dalhart, TXTexas courthouses, as the pre-eminent building type associated with local government in Texas during the mid-19th through mid-20th centuries, symbolize the general prosperity, aspirations, and sophistication of the counties in which they stand. Serving as the local seat of justice since 1923, the Dallam County Courthouse played a pivotal role in county politics and meets Criterion A in the area of Politics/Government. An unprecedented building in the county and the town, the courthouse also meets Criterion C in the area of Architecture as an exceptional local example of Classical Revival design.
In the extreme northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle, Dallam County is bounded by New Mexico on the west and Oklahoma on the north. Parts of this and nine other north Texas counties comprised the three million acre tract the state traded in 1882 to finance the construction of the state capitol in Austin. The resulting XIT Ranch once operated on much of the land now chartered for Dallam County.
The Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad linked Fort Worth with Texline, near the northwest corner of the county in 1888. officially organized in 1891, Dallam County was named for James Wilmar Dallam, a prominent Texas lawyer, and editor. With approximately 112 residents in the county, Texline served as a county seat with a 2-story frame courthouse/school.
In early 1901 the Chicago, Rock Island, and Mexico Railway (later the Chicago, Rock Island, and Gulf Railway) was built west from Liberal, Kansas, and crossed the Fort Worth and Denver City line at the southern boundary of the county, a juncture that hastily changed names in early 1901 from Twist to Twist Junction, and then to Denrock. By May 1901 the community, which straddled both Dallam and Hartley counties, became known as Dalhart. In 1903 the County Commissioners' Court ordered that a new courthouse be constructed on Block 18 of the original townsite; John A. White of Vernon was awarded the building contract (see 8-5; demolished circa 1922).
A 1919 editorial in the Dalhart Texan stressed the need for a modern courthouse facility. Commissioners issued warrants to fund the project, but construction was enjoined in 1920. Postponements and litigation ensued. Finally, a $150,000 bond issue passed in June 1922 enabling the court to hire J. Roy Smith and William C. Townes of Amarillo as architects and A.F. Stewart of the Stewart Construction Company in Oklahoma City as contractors for the new courthouse. They selected Block 51 of the original townsite as its location.
Smith and Townes elected to follow the well-established architectural trend for public buildings by designing a modified classical temple. The 1893 Columbian Exposition aroused interest in reviving classical styles that became prevalent throughout the country during the first half of the 20th century, particularly for public buildings. Other public buildings constructed around this time in the Texas Panhandle, such as the Hartley County Courthouse (1906), the Hale County Courthouse (1910), the Roberts County Courthouse (1913), the Taylor County Courthouse (1914), the Crosby County Courthouse (1914), the Lynn County Courthouse (1916), the Sherman County Courthouse (1922), and the Wheeler County Courthouse (1925), directness and simplicity characterize this temple. Typical of Classical Revival design, the Dallam County Courthouse employs a symmetrical rectangular plan, broad expanses of plain wall surfaces, and balanced fenestration. Its rudimentary cubical form is articulated by colossal order Ionic columns that support a heavy cornice, and brick pilasters that reinforce the classical motif. Cast stone classical details, such as the window sill consoles, dentils, coping and escutcheon, are emphasized against the red brick. The central facade parapets, influenced by Mission Revival design, mimic the roof parapets found on some Spanish colonial-era mission buildings. Mission-styled architecture commonly borrowed typical Hispanic design elements, like curvilinear parapets, and adapted them to embellish more traditional buildings, particularly in the American Southwest.
The plan of this building reveals a Beaux Arts arrangement in the spatial hierarchy by raising the main floor high above the ground with an entry point from the south facade of the building. The basement is sunk a half-story with access from two stairways from the east and west sides of the building. This simple innovation assisted in adapting the basement as a more efficient public space, while a majestic staircase endowed prominence to the main entrance.
The subsequent history of the courthouse has been one of few sensational trials or great events. However, as in most counties, the courthouse was the nucleus of political and social activity. Courthouse hearings have been generally for crimes of stealing cattle, bootlegging, and gaming, according to Hartley County Historical Commission Chairman Patricia Kirkeminde.
The building retains its historic integrity to its period of significance, 1923-1942, with some interior modifications such as ramps and an elevator added in 1987 to permit accessibility for disabled citizens. A monumental building in this small community, the Dallam County Courthouse is worthy of preservation because of its contributions to the county's historical and architectural legacy.
Local significance of the building:
In the extreme northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle, Dallam County is bounded by New Mexico on the west and Oklahoma on the north. Parts of this and nine other north Texas counties comprised the three million acre tract the state traded in 1882 to finance the construction of the state capitol in Austin. The resulting XIT Ranch once operated on much of the land now chartered for Dallam County.
The Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad linked Fort Worth with Texline, near the northwest corner of the county in 1888. officially organized in 1891, Dallam County was named for James Wilmar Dallam, a prominent Texas lawyer, and editor. With approximately 112 residents in the county, Texline served as a county seat with a 2-story frame courthouse/school.
In early 1901 the Chicago, Rock Island, and Mexico Railway (later the Chicago, Rock Island, and Gulf Railway) was built west from Liberal, Kansas, and crossed the Fort Worth and Denver City line at the southern boundary of the county, a juncture that hastily changed names in early 1901 from Twist to Twist Junction, and then to Denrock. By May 1901 the community, which straddled both Dallam and Hartley counties, became known as Dalhart. In 1903 the County Commissioners' Court ordered that a new courthouse be constructed on Block 18 of the original townsite; John A. White of Vernon was awarded the building contract (see 8-5; demolished circa 1922).
A 1919 editorial in the Dalhart Texan stressed the need for a modern courthouse facility. Commissioners issued warrants to fund the project, but construction was enjoined in 1920. Postponements and litigation ensued. Finally, a $150,000 bond issue passed in June 1922 enabling the court to hire J. Roy Smith and William C. Townes of Amarillo as architects and A.F. Stewart of the Stewart Construction Company in Oklahoma City as contractors for the new courthouse. They selected Block 51 of the original townsite as its location.
Smith and Townes elected to follow the well-established architectural trend for public buildings by designing a modified classical temple. The 1893 Columbian Exposition aroused interest in reviving classical styles that became prevalent throughout the country during the first half of the 20th century, particularly for public buildings. Other public buildings constructed around this time in the Texas Panhandle, such as the Hartley County Courthouse (1906), the Hale County Courthouse (1910), the Roberts County Courthouse (1913), the Taylor County Courthouse (1914), the Crosby County Courthouse (1914), the Lynn County Courthouse (1916), the Sherman County Courthouse (1922), and the Wheeler County Courthouse (1925), directness and simplicity characterize this temple. Typical of Classical Revival design, the Dallam County Courthouse employs a symmetrical rectangular plan, broad expanses of plain wall surfaces, and balanced fenestration. Its rudimentary cubical form is articulated by colossal order Ionic columns that support a heavy cornice, and brick pilasters that reinforce the classical motif. Cast stone classical details, such as the window sill consoles, dentils, coping and escutcheon, are emphasized against the red brick. The central facade parapets, influenced by Mission Revival design, mimic the roof parapets found on some Spanish colonial-era mission buildings. Mission-styled architecture commonly borrowed typical Hispanic design elements, like curvilinear parapets, and adapted them to embellish more traditional buildings, particularly in the American Southwest.
The plan of this building reveals a Beaux Arts arrangement in the spatial hierarchy by raising the main floor high above the ground with an entry point from the south facade of the building. The basement is sunk a half-story with access from two stairways from the east and west sides of the building. This simple innovation assisted in adapting the basement as a more efficient public space, while a majestic staircase endowed prominence to the main entrance.
The subsequent history of the courthouse has been one of few sensational trials or great events. However, as in most counties, the courthouse was the nucleus of political and social activity. Courthouse hearings have been generally for crimes of stealing cattle, bootlegging, and gaming, according to Hartley County Historical Commission Chairman Patricia Kirkeminde.
The building retains its historic integrity to its period of significance, 1923-1942, with some interior modifications such as ramps and an elevator added in 1987 to permit accessibility for disabled citizens. A monumental building in this small community, the Dallam County Courthouse is worthy of preservation because of its contributions to the county's historical and architectural legacy.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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.
The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
About Dallam County
Dallam County Timeline
Dallam County, Texas, located in the northwestern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa. These tribes hunted and roamed the land, leaving behind artifacts and evidence of their presence.
The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the region in the 16th century, but it was not until the mid-19th century that the area began to see permanent settlement. In 1876, Dallam County was officially established, named after James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and early settler in the area. The county seat, Dalhart, was incorporated in 1901.
The late 19th century saw the arrival of cattle ranchers, drawn by the open range land and abundant grazing opportunities. The XIT Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the world, operated in Dallam County from 1885 until 1912. The ranch brought economic prosperity to the area, but also led to conflicts with Native American tribes and tensions with neighboring counties.
With the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, Dalhart experienced a boost in development and became an important transportation hub for the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat farming, also became a significant part of the local economy. Dallam County has since continued to thrive as a rural community, with a mix of agricultural and oil production, as well as a growing tourism industry due to its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the region in the 16th century, but it was not until the mid-19th century that the area began to see permanent settlement. In 1876, Dallam County was officially established, named after James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and early settler in the area. The county seat, Dalhart, was incorporated in 1901.
The late 19th century saw the arrival of cattle ranchers, drawn by the open range land and abundant grazing opportunities. The XIT Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the world, operated in Dallam County from 1885 until 1912. The ranch brought economic prosperity to the area, but also led to conflicts with Native American tribes and tensions with neighboring counties.
With the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, Dalhart experienced a boost in development and became an important transportation hub for the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat farming, also became a significant part of the local economy. Dallam County has since continued to thrive as a rural community, with a mix of agricultural and oil production, as well as a growing tourism industry due to its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Dallam County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Dallam County, Texas.
- 1876 - Dallam County is officially established on August 21.
- 1898 - Dalhart, the county seat, is founded as a railroad town.
- 1901 - The first post office opens in Dalhart.
- 1908 - XIT Ranch, one of the largest ranches in Texas, is divided and sold for settlement.
- 1909 - Dalhart becomes an incorporated city.
- 1910 - Dallam County builds its first courthouse, a two-story brick building.
- 1920s - Agriculture becomes a prominent industry in the area, with wheat and cattle being major contributors to the local economy.
- 1931 - The Dalhart Army Air Base is established during World War II.
- 1942 - The Dallam-Hartley Electric Cooperative is formed to bring electricity to rural areas of the county.
- 1960s - Manufacturing and industrial development begin to grow in Dalhart.
- 1972 - The current Dallam County Courthouse is built.
- Late 20th century - Dalhart's economy diversifies, with oil, gas, and wind energy becoming significant sectors.
- 2012 - The Dalhart Windberg Museum opens, showcasing the paintings of artist Dalhart Windberg.