Historic Courthouse

Throckmorton County Courthouse

121 N Minter Ave, Throckmorton, Texas

Built in 1890 in Italianate architectual style by architect Martin, Byrne & Johnston.

Martin, Byrne and Johnston drew upon the Italianate style for the Throckmorton County Courthouse. Tan and buff quarry-faced sandstone makes up the polychromatic walls, and smooth-cut sandstone forms the quoins, pilasters, water table, stringcourse and arches over the openings. The main section of the building, which is square in plan and two-and-a-half stories tall, is flanked to the north and south by two-story wings. The interior arrangement of spaces is similar to numerous other southwestern courthouses, with the offices of the county officials and vaults located on the ground floor and the courtroom and the offices of judicial officers located on the second floor. The east facade is broken into three parts: the middle piece, which houses the courtroom, and the two wings. The smaller wings are inset slightly from the main facade. The first floor of the building features a water table, a stringcourse and segmental arches with pronounced voussoirs over the windows and doors. A rusticated stringcourse of a lighter colored stone divides the first floor from the second floor. The architects chose two different types of windows for the second floor: the main section of the building features Roman arch windows, while lintels crown the second-story windows of the two wings. The north and south facades are similar to that of the east facade. The entrances on all facades feature double doors topped by single large windows on the second floor, with the windows of the main building featuring segmental arches and the windows of the wings topped by lintels. A galvanized iron cornice with brackets forms a transition between the wall and the mansard roof. Pediments, also of galvanized iron, rest above the entrance bays. A square cupola sits over the central roof pavilion from which a tall tower once rose. Twelve roundels and corner pilasters adorn the modest, hip-roofed cupola. The county added an annex to the west side of the building in 1938, seriously altering its original appearance.

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Current status: Active 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.

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Throckmorton County, located in central Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally occupied by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Wichita, who lived off the land and utilized the abundant natural resources.

European settlers began arriving in the 1850s, establishing small communities and ranches. The county was officially formed in 1858 and named after James W. Throckmorton, who was a former governor of Texas. The economy primarily revolved around agriculture, especially cattle ranching, with large ranches like the 6666 Ranch becoming integral to the county's identity.

During the American Civil War, Throckmorton County was mostly sympathizers of the Confederacy. In the aftermath of the war, the area faced significant challenges, including conflicts with Native American tribes and the decline of the cattle industry. However, the discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought renewed prosperity and economic growth.

Today, Throckmorton County continues to be a rural community with an emphasis on agriculture, oil, and gas. Agriculture remains an important industry, with ranching and farming contributing to the local economy. The county is also a popular destination for hunting and outdoor recreational activities, thanks to its diverse wildlife and expansive natural landscapes. Throckmorton County's history is deeply intertwined with the westward expansion of Texas and its vibrant heritage is celebrated by its residents today.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Throckmorton County, Texas.

  • 1858: Throckmorton County established
  • 1879: First post office opens in Throckmorton
  • 1881: First railroad, Wichita Valley Railway, reaches Throckmorton
  • 1886: Throckmorton County courthouse constructed
  • 1920s: Oil boom brings economic growth
  • 1930: Lake Throckmorton constructed for water supply
  • 1961: Interstate 20 built, enhancing transportation
  • 1990s: Decline in oil industry affects the economy