Historic Courthouse

Mills County Courthouse

Goldthwaite, Texas

Built in 1890 in Second Empire architectual style.

In 1884, F. E. Ruffini recieved a duplicate set of plans for the Tom Green County Courthouse from his brother, Oscar, who had been hired as superintendent of construction for the new courthouse in San Angelo. F. E. was so taken with the design by W. W. Larmour, that he adapted the form to create his plans for the Blanco County Courthouse in Blanco. The design proved so successful, Ruffini quickly presented the plans to two other counties: Callahan and Concho (Dickey, pp. 125-6). After F. E. Ruffini's death in 1885, Oscar submitted the plans to secure courthouse commissions in Sutton and Mills Counties. Of the five courthouses constructed using the design, three survive: Blanco, Concho, and Sutton Counties'. The Second Empire styled courthouse was laid out on the traditional cross axial plan with wide corridors dividing the ground floor into four equal quadrants. Offices and storage spaces located in these quadrants were allocated to the County and District Clerks, Sheriff, County Treasurer, Tax Assessor, Surveyor, County Judge and chambers for the Commissioners' Court. Stairways at either side of the east-west hall rose simply to a graceful curve at the top. The second floor was occupied by an imposingly scaled courtroom and several jury rooms. On the exterior of the two-story stone structure, the walls were constructed with cream-colored ashlar masonry with cut stone quoins and a cut stone stringcourse which separated the two floors and formed a base for the tall narrow window openings. A wide metal cornice was carried on ornamental brackets. Above the cornice rested the mansard roof rising in three sections and featuring framed circular dormers and metal trim which contrasted with the cornice. Mansard pavillions with wrought iron cresting accented the entry bays. At each elevation the entrances were further emphasized by a triangular pediment. The north and south entries were flanked by projecting bays with cornices slightly higher than the adjacent wall surfaces.

Burned May 5, 1912.

Current status: gone

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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Mills County, located in central Texas, has a rich history dating back to the prehistoric era. Archeological evidence suggests that Native American tribes inhabited the region as early as 10,000 BCE. The Tonkawa and Lipan Apache tribes were among the original indigenous groups to settle in the area. However, with the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century, their way of life was dramatically altered.

In 1854, Mills County was officially established by the Texas legislature and named after John T. Mills, a lawyer and soldier who fought in the Texas Revolution. The county's development was primarily driven by agriculture, with cotton becoming the dominant crop. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further boosted the local economy, enabling the transportation of goods and facilitating trade.

With its rich soil and favorable climate, Mills County prospered throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, like many rural areas during this time, it faced challenges such as droughts, economic downturns, and the Great Depression. These hardships impacted the county's agricultural sector and led to a decline in population.

Despite these challenges, Mills County has maintained its unique character and close-knit community throughout the years. Today, it is known for its beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The county continues to be influenced by its agricultural heritage while embracing the modern era, making it an interesting and dynamic place to live and visit.

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

  • 1837 - Mills County is established and named after Texas Governor Branch Tanner Archer.
  • 1849 - Gold is discovered in the county, leading to a short-lived gold rush.
  • 1854 - Mills County becomes a part of the newly formed Brown County.
  • 1876 - Mills County is reestablished as an independent county.
  • 1880 - The county seat is established in Goldthwaite.
  • 1920s - The oil industry has a significant impact on the local economy.
  • 1947 - Mills County celebrates its centennial.
  • 1965 - A severe flood causes significant damage to the county.
  • 1990s - The county experiences economic growth due to an increase in tourism.
  • 2018 - Mills County celebrates its 181st anniversary.