Val Verde County Courthouse

Built in 1887 in Second Empire and Classical Revival architectual style by architect Larmour & Watson, 1887; Atlee B. Ayres, 1915 by contractor Hood and McLeod, 1887.

Larmour and Watson designed the Val Verde County Courthouse in 1887. The building is of the Second Empire style with Classical details. The floor plan, similar to that of numerous other nineteenth-century courthouses, is divided into four quadrants containing offices by intersecting corridors. The district courtroom is located on the second floor. On each facade, a triangular pediment with modillions and details emphasizes the entrance. Paired pilasters with geometric decorative features and broken entablatures further enhance each entrance; above these, single pilasters provide visual support for the pediment. The structure is built of tan-colored limestone masonry. The walls are of pitch-faced ashlar, handsomely articulated by a cut stone water table and a cut stone stringcourse. Roman arches of cut stone with pronounced keystones and imposts span the center openings, while stilted arches of cut stone enhance the wall and tower openings. Originally, the openings on alternating sides of the towers were filled with panels of stone; modified openings continue this pattern. In 1915, a third floor was added within the original envelope. When the upper floor openings were modified to accommodate this change, the new spandrels between the windows incorporated ornamental features reminiscent of those removed from the tower cornices. Although three entrances have been modified, the west entrance remains in original condition. As originally constructed, mansard roofs covered with sheet metal and ornamental wrought iron railings topped the pediments, and on one faade, statues of the Goddess of Justice and Goddess of Liberty were positioned on pedestals rising from the sides of the pediment. A mansard roof with decorative ironwork and bull's eye windows rose from the center of the courthouse. There were also octagonal towers surmounted by steeply pitched roofs with finials at the apexes at each corner of the building. All of the mansard roofs have been removed. The central square mansard roof has been replaced with an octagonal dome with a low rise.

'Rebuilt' in 1915 by Atlee B. Ayres, altering entry porticoes and other elements with more Classical Revival detail [possibly following a fire?]. Mansard roofs removed. 1994: Plaster ceiling collapsed, structural damage is evident & county has abandoned the building. A Texas Historic Commission grant-funded restoration included the cleaning and patching of the exterior masonry, as well as the inclusion of replicated hardware and the rebuilding of the 1915 exterior masonry porches at all four entries. The courthouse was rededicated on July 23, 2004. renovation plans by Atlee B. Ayres (UT Alexander Archives)

Current status: Active Courthouse