Bandera County Courthouse and Jail
Public Sq., 12th and Maple Sts., Bandera, TXThese three county buildings, varying in scale, design, and construction date but all built of local materials, are evidence of the boom-town growth of post-civil war Bandera (and Texas as a whole) which stopped in this town and then dwindled in the 20th century. This growth can be traced from the county's early use of temporary log structures to the purchase of the more permanent two-story 1869 vernacular structure overlooking the Medina River, to the subsequent sophistication of the adjacent one-story masonry jail designed by 1881, and finally, the elaborate though unusual local adaptation of Second Renaissance Revival style in the courthouse designed by B.F. Trester, Jr. in 1891. The three buildings have remained in continuous use in the community both in governmental and business functions and are important landmarks to the townspeople.
Bandera County, organized in 1856 in a ranching area, with its primary industry that of the manufacture of cypress shingles, used makeshift quarters for jail and courthouse functions until 1877, when the county purchased the two-story stone vernacular building over-looking the cypress mill which is now known as the old courthouse. Built for local entrepreneur and mill owner J.B. Davenport in 1869 by a builder named White, the building served as the county courthouse until the present courthouse was built in 1891. Since that time it has been leased by the county for various commercial enterprises and continues to use as office space.
The present courthouse was designed by a prolific San Antonio architect, B.F. Trester, Jr. In a two-year period, Trester also designed the Uvalde County Courthouse, a two-story stone school in Kerrville, Methodist Female Seminary, a two-story brick store in Beeville, and the Uvalde Opera House (N.R. 1978) before his death in March of 1891. Builders for the courthouse were Ed Braden and Sons, with Frankel and Hayden are shown as supervising architects. Apparently, a design for the courthouse was submitted b A one-story jail was built on the square behind the courthouse in 1938, and a one-story limestone office addition was built to the east in 1966 when the courthouse was remodeled and the windows were replaced. Even with these changes, the character and mass of the building are important to the scale of the tiny town.
The elaborate old one-story jail was designed by renowned Texas architect Alfred Giles. Giles is known for his work in northern Mexico and Texas after his emigration from England to San Antonio in the last half of the 19th century. Some of the buildings he designed include the old Gillespie County Courthouse (N.R. 1971), the Sullivan Stable and Carriage House in San Antonio (N.R. 1978), and the Schreiner Mansion in Kerrville (N.R. 1975).
Giles' design for the jail was identical to the Bexar County Jail he built in 1877, except that the scale is smaller. Giles himself acted as supervising architect, with James A. Courtney acting as contractor. P.J. Pauly and Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri, constructed the two saw- and file-proof cages, as they had for Bexar County, for $2,855. After the new jail was built in 1938, this building served as a World War II veterans meeting hall, and offices for the Soil Conservation Service, and is now a museum, leased from the county by the Bandera County Historical Commission.
Local significance of the building:
Bandera County, organized in 1856 in a ranching area, with its primary industry that of the manufacture of cypress shingles, used makeshift quarters for jail and courthouse functions until 1877, when the county purchased the two-story stone vernacular building over-looking the cypress mill which is now known as the old courthouse. Built for local entrepreneur and mill owner J.B. Davenport in 1869 by a builder named White, the building served as the county courthouse until the present courthouse was built in 1891. Since that time it has been leased by the county for various commercial enterprises and continues to use as office space.
The present courthouse was designed by a prolific San Antonio architect, B.F. Trester, Jr. In a two-year period, Trester also designed the Uvalde County Courthouse, a two-story stone school in Kerrville, Methodist Female Seminary, a two-story brick store in Beeville, and the Uvalde Opera House (N.R. 1978) before his death in March of 1891. Builders for the courthouse were Ed Braden and Sons, with Frankel and Hayden are shown as supervising architects. Apparently, a design for the courthouse was submitted b A one-story jail was built on the square behind the courthouse in 1938, and a one-story limestone office addition was built to the east in 1966 when the courthouse was remodeled and the windows were replaced. Even with these changes, the character and mass of the building are important to the scale of the tiny town.
The elaborate old one-story jail was designed by renowned Texas architect Alfred Giles. Giles is known for his work in northern Mexico and Texas after his emigration from England to San Antonio in the last half of the 19th century. Some of the buildings he designed include the old Gillespie County Courthouse (N.R. 1971), the Sullivan Stable and Carriage House in San Antonio (N.R. 1978), and the Schreiner Mansion in Kerrville (N.R. 1975).
Giles' design for the jail was identical to the Bexar County Jail he built in 1877, except that the scale is smaller. Giles himself acted as supervising architect, with James A. Courtney acting as contractor. P.J. Pauly and Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri, constructed the two saw- and file-proof cages, as they had for Bexar County, for $2,855. After the new jail was built in 1938, this building served as a World War II veterans meeting hall, and offices for the Soil Conservation Service, and is now a museum, leased from the county by the Bandera County Historical Commission.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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.
Texas was once an independent country: After winning its independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country, known as the Republic of Texas. It existed as an independent nation for nine years before being annexed by the United States in 1845.
About Bandera County
Bandera County Timeline
Bandera County, located in Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s. The area was initially home to various Native American tribes, including the Lipan Apache and Comanche tribes, who resided along the banks of the Medina River. However, it was in the early 19th century that European settlers began to arrive in the region.
The first recorded settlement in Bandera County was established in 1852 by John James and Charles DeMontel. The town of Bandera was soon founded, and in 1856, Bandera County was officially created. The county was named after the nearby Bandera Pass, a mountain pass that was used by early Spanish explorers as a trail marker.
During the 19th century, Bandera County became an important center for ranching and agriculture. The fertile land and abundant water sources made it an ideal location for raising cattle and farming. The region quickly developed a reputation for its strong cowboy and ranching culture.
In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil in nearby counties brought economic prosperity to Bandera County. Numerous oil wells were drilled, and the area experienced a boom in population and development. Despite the decline of the oil industry in later years, Bandera County continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination, known for its historic downtown, natural beauty, and western heritage.
Today, Bandera County remains a charming rural community that celebrates its rich history and maintains its Western traditions. Visitors can explore the numerous historic sites, museums, and cowboy-themed events, immersing themselves in the county's unique culture and heritage.
The first recorded settlement in Bandera County was established in 1852 by John James and Charles DeMontel. The town of Bandera was soon founded, and in 1856, Bandera County was officially created. The county was named after the nearby Bandera Pass, a mountain pass that was used by early Spanish explorers as a trail marker.
During the 19th century, Bandera County became an important center for ranching and agriculture. The fertile land and abundant water sources made it an ideal location for raising cattle and farming. The region quickly developed a reputation for its strong cowboy and ranching culture.
In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil in nearby counties brought economic prosperity to Bandera County. Numerous oil wells were drilled, and the area experienced a boom in population and development. Despite the decline of the oil industry in later years, Bandera County continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination, known for its historic downtown, natural beauty, and western heritage.
Today, Bandera County remains a charming rural community that celebrates its rich history and maintains its Western traditions. Visitors can explore the numerous historic sites, museums, and cowboy-themed events, immersing themselves in the county's unique culture and heritage.
Bandera County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bandera County, Texas.
- 1856 - Bandera County is created from parts of Bexar, Uvalde, Medina, and Kerr counties.
- Late 1850s - Settlers begin to establish homesteads and ranches in the area.
- 1870 - The first courthouse is built in Bandera, the county seat.
- Late 1870s - The population booms due to the expansion of the cattle industry.
- 1891 - The Bandera County Courier newspaper is founded.
- 1933 - The Bandera Electric Cooperative is formed to bring electricity to rural areas.
- 1940s - Ranching and farming become the primary economic activities in the county.
- 1975 - Bandera becomes the "Cowboy Capital of the World" and hosts the first Cowboy Capital Rodeo.
- 2002 - The Bandera County Library is opened.