Fayette County Courthouse
151 North Washington Street, La Grange, TexasBuilt in 1891 in Romanesque Revival with eclectic details architectual style by architect J. Riely Gordon by contractor Martin, Byrne & Johnston.
The Fayette County Courthouse is a three story masonry Romanesque Revival structure with a tall clock tower rising over the main entrance. Built in 1890-91, the courthouse, designed by J. Riely Gordon, is a unique departure from the traditional cross-corridor plan of Victorian courthouse designs. Natural ventilation and lighting was provided by a 30-foot square central courtyard around which all of the offices and the two-story courtroom are arranged. A combination of Belton white limestone and Muldoon blue sandstone creates rich detail in texture and a striking contrast in color on the exterior walls, gables and arches. Red Pecos sandstone emphasizes the horizontal stringcourses, and pink Burnet granite accents the columns and steps. The hipped roof was originally covered with slate and Spanish tile, but this has been replaced with composition shingles. The four facades have a similar composition including a central entrance bay flanked by two projecting gabled pavilions and a recessed, crenellated end section. The windows are generally paired one-over-one wood sash types. Some of these are linked vertically by a pressed tin panel ending in a semi-circular transom and a round arch, while others have a horizontal lintel. The east elevation is identified as the main entrance by the dominant pyramidal roofed tower, which has a round arch supported by paired columns framing its openings. This facade also includes a segmental arch which covers the second floor balcony; the third floor features an uncovered balcony. The alternate entrances are arranged somewhat differently. The central bay on the north and south facades is sheltered by a two-story gabled portico containing a balcony over the first floor and a large, round arch over the second. The central bay at the rear has a segmental arched opening over the rear entrance, but the second and third floors, which contain the two-story courtroom, are enclosed on the exterior by a large, round arched aperture containing three windows with transoms. Additional embellishments to this building include the colonettes which display acanthus-leaf capitals, stonework which displays arabesque detail and the pressed tin swag and patera motifs in the spandrels between the windows. At the base of the clock tower, an American eagle is carved within a large stone panel. Above the panel is decorative dentil work which has the likenesses of griffins at each end.
1925: Stone acorn ornaments removed from the gables.1927: Chimneys removed and steam heat installed.1949: Central atrium/stairwell enclosed.1957: Courthouse was sandblasted to remove paint.1970c.: Elevator installed.Also:Basement excavated and converted into restrooms. Concrete stairs inserted into the first floor. First floor restrooms converted into office space. (date unknown)
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.
The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.
During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.
Fayette County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Fayette County, Texas.
- 1837 – Fayette County is established as one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas.
- 1838 – The permanent county seat is established in La Grange.
- 1861-1865 – Fayette County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
- 1873 – The railroad reaches Fayette County, spurring economic growth.
- 1901 – The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the discovery of the West Point Oil Field.
- 1905 – The monumental Fayette County Courthouse is built.
- 1950s-1970s – Fayette County experiences an agricultural boom due to the construction of the Fayette Power Project and Fayette Nuclear Plant.
- 1998 – Fayette County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
- 2011 – The historic town square in La Grange is added to the National Register of Historic Places.