Hill County Courthouse
Courthouse Sq., Hillsboro, TXHill County was created from part of Navarro County in 1853 and named for George Washington Hill. The citizens were authorized to vote for a site for the county seat which would be named "Hillsborough", and chose a centrally located site. The first courthouse of elm logs was built in 1854 and served until 1856. The second, more substantial, courthouse was a two-story brick building that burned down in 1872. In 1874 a third courthouse, again a two-story brick building, was built for $15,000 and served until the present structure was erected. ouse In 1889, when the present courthouse was planned, the location of the county seat was contested, but the final vote on November 6th gave Hillsboro 2611 votes to Woodbury's 1287. After the election, the contract for the present courthouse was let on December 19, 1889, to Lovell, Miller, and Hood of Brownsville for $83,000. The old courthouse was sold at auction on December 21 of that year for the sum of $120, and during the construction of the new building, county offices were mainly in the Ewell Hotel.
Records indicate that the contractors sustained a loss of $4,714.22 over the contract price. (Approximately 50% of the total cost of construction is related to the quarrying, transportation, carving, and placing of the limestone rocks that form the exterior face of the building.) County officials along with the citizens of Hill County donated more than enough to repay the contractor's loss.
The architect of the Hill County Courthouse was W. C. Dodson, listed as a Waco architect in the 1885 roster of Texas architects, Dodson also designed the Hood County Courthouse at Granbury in 1890, a courthouse that is almost identical to that of Parker County at Weatherford which was built in 1885 and was probably designed by Dodson. All three of the court- houses are of a Texas version of the French Second Empire style, all have identical central towers and are otherwise very closely related. The Hillsboro and Weatherford county court- houses are eye-catchers and photographs of them have been frequently included in nationally distributed articles and books on Texas or on Texas architecture.
Local significance of the building:
Records indicate that the contractors sustained a loss of $4,714.22 over the contract price. (Approximately 50% of the total cost of construction is related to the quarrying, transportation, carving, and placing of the limestone rocks that form the exterior face of the building.) County officials along with the citizens of Hill County donated more than enough to repay the contractor's loss.
The architect of the Hill County Courthouse was W. C. Dodson, listed as a Waco architect in the 1885 roster of Texas architects, Dodson also designed the Hood County Courthouse at Granbury in 1890, a courthouse that is almost identical to that of Parker County at Weatherford which was built in 1885 and was probably designed by Dodson. All three of the court- houses are of a Texas version of the French Second Empire style, all have identical central towers and are otherwise very closely related. The Hillsboro and Weatherford county court- houses are eye-catchers and photographs of them have been frequently included in nationally distributed articles and books on Texas or on Texas architecture.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
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 discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
About Hill County
Hill County Timeline
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.
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.
Hill County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history 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.