Bosque County Courthouse
Public Sq., Meridian, TXThe building possesses considerable architectural merit due to its association with a prominent West Texas architect, its stylistic character, and the technology incorporated into it. Moreover, throughout its history, the building has remained the most famous structure in the county. Early in 1886, the Commissioners' Court of Bosque County announced that on February 23 they would examine plans for a new courthouse. The following day, J. J. Kane of Fort Worth, Texas, was appointed architect and awarded a commission of 5% of the construction cost--Kane designed numerous structures in West Texas including a Catholic Church, in Fort Worth, a monumental stone edifice, and he served as the president of the Texas Association of Architects in 1888.
As was often the case during the last two decades of the nineteenth century, stylistic features intended to produce picturesqueness, yet the dignity of expression was incorporated into the courthouse. Roman arches rising above slender engaged columns, and heavily rusticated pilasters reflect the Renaissance Revival style. On the ground story, the arches have pronounced keystones while on the top story the arches have gracefully molded archivolts. Also consistent with the classical style, a well-defined base formed the beginning of the wall composition and a bold galvanized iron cornice formed the termination. Handsome rosettes carved from stone accent the pilasters and ornamental stone details terminate the wall below the cornice. The tower, however, had Gothic details, including small turrets on the corners. Other elements not associated with style but with the expression of purpose included the statue of justice, stamped from copper, and star motifs.
The structure also incorporated noteworthy technology in a relatively isolated location. Aspiring to develop fireproof construction, J. J. Kane utilized iron and concrete floor systems. The ground floor consisted of a rough four-inch Portland cement concrete slab placed over a fill of broken stone, sand, and waste material; then a coat of Portland cement concrete was placed and "blocked off in nine-inch squares." The second and third floors were supported by iron I beams which supported corrugated iron arches over which was placed concrete, blocked into squares.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
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.