Historic Courthouse

Hill County Courthouse

Hillsboro, Texas

Built in 1890 in Second Empire architectual style by architect Wesley Clarke Dodson by contractor Thomas Lovell.

A Texas version of the Second-Empire style, the Hillsboro courthouse was built in 1890 by Wesley Clark Dodson and tragically destroyed by fire in 1993. The original plan of the building was symmetrical with four identical five-bay facadesÑeach with end pavilions and central raised porticos. The courthouse was three stories tall with a basement and attics. A tall central tower extended the total height of the building to seven stories. The exterior walls were of rusticated limestone and the clock tower was of metal. A hipped roof covered the main body of the building, and pyramidal mansard roofs with decks and molded caps topped the corner pavilions. The pavilions were also adorned with gables and dormer windows. The central porticos had gable roofs, and the prominent central tower had a convex roof with a flat deck. The tower was further embellished with windows, a projecting cornice, arched openings with hood molds, and four clock faces with heavily molded, curved drip stones. Also projecting from the building were two large chimneys. The porticos on each side were supported by three-story, freestanding columns set atop one-story stone bases. The pediment that capped the columns consisted of attenuated brackets, a wide cornice, and a large, deep arch springing from above the columns. The columns were decorated with modified Corinthian capitals, and the wide entablature above the columns was repeated on the remainder of the building with Victorian brackets and belt-courses. The openings varied. Those of the first and third floors were arched, with large keystones and filled panels above the lintels of the double hung windows. The second- and third-story windows were divided with carved limestone panels. The windows in the porticos repeated this scheme but were very slender and tall, with an arch pattern and huge keystone uniting the group above the third story. Three louvered openings marked an attic story in each pavilion. Further embellishment was provided by cast iron balconies above the doors; banded, dressed limestone pilasters edging all projecting corners and framing the doors; banded, dressed limestone columns and bases; and dressed limestone trim around the windows doors and cornice. There was also a high-relief belt course made up of a pattern of flowers and leaves encircling the building at the top of the first story. The courthouse was rededicated in April of 1999.

-Exterior renovated in 1970. -Completely gutted by fire in 1993. Reconstruction work in progress (1996).- ISTEA Grant - Reconstruction of roof to match the original 1890 design and includes replacement of the mansard roof cupolas, bell tower and ornamen

Current status: existing (burned and rebuilt)

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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Texas random facts
Hill County, located in Central Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early Native American tribes who inhabited the region before European settlement. The area was primarily occupied by the Tonkawa and Comanche tribes, who relied on hunting and gathering for their sustenance. However, the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century marked the beginning of significant changes for Hill County.

In the early 1800s, settlers from the United States began to arrive in Hill County, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming. The Republic of Texas was established in 1836, and Hill County was founded in 1853, named after Dr. George Washington Hill, an early settler and land surveyor. The county seat was initially established in Hillsborough but later moved to Hillsboro.

During the Civil War, Hill County was divided in its loyalties, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others remaining loyal to the Union. The war took a toll on the area, leading to economic decline and agricultural setbacks. However, with the end of the war and efforts to rebuild, the county gradually recovered.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hill County saw significant growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, leading to the establishment of new towns and communities. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became a mainstay of the county's economy, with numerous cotton gins and mills scattered throughout the area.

Today, Hill County is a vibrant community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic landmarks and sites, museums, and annual events that celebrate its history. From its early Native American roots to its role in the development of Central Texas, Hill County continues to thrive as a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of its residents.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hill County, Texas.

  • 1853: Hill County established as one of the 36 original counties of Texas.
  • 1854: Hillsboro becomes the county seat.
  • 1860s: Hill County experiences rapid growth due to the cattle industry and the arrival of the railroad.
  • 1873: The Hill County Courthouse, a two-story wooden structure, is completed.
  • 1882: The Courthouse is destroyed by a fire.
  • 1886: Construction of a new courthouse begins.
  • 1890: The current Hill County Courthouse, a magnificent Romanesque Revival architectural style building, is completed.
  • 1900s: Hill County faces numerous challenges, including droughts, the Great Depression, and the decline of the cotton industry.
  • 1940s: Hill County experiences a surge in population and economic growth due to World War II and the establishment of military bases in the region.
  • 1950s-1960s: Construction of Lake Whitney provides recreational opportunities and helps boost the local economy.
  • 2000s: Hill County continues to develop and diversify its economy, focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.