Bell County Courthouse
Public Sq., Belton, TXBell County, originally a portion of the Robertson Colony, was first settled in 1834. During the War of Independence from Mexico and the subsequent period of uncertainty, the area was abandoned several times. In 1839 the ever-present danger of Indian raids was abated by a decisive victory in the Bird's Creek Indian fight and the population of the county grew slowly until the time of its incorporation on January 22, 1850.
Before the official creation of the county, public business was transacted at John Danley's Blacksmith Shop, with an anvil as a council table. On December 14, 1850, county officials approved the construction of the first of three courthouses to be situated on the town square, laid out in the midst of a 120-acre site donated by Matilda F. Connell Allen for the county seat. The first courthouse was a one-story frame building 16 feet by 18 feet built by contractor Thomas T. Havens, and completed in May 1851 at a cost of $199.00. Its construction was funded by the sale of town lots.
The building soon proved inadequate; most county officials continued to transact public business from commercial structures.
On April 1, 1850, the Bell County Commissioners' Court voted to build a new two-story courthouse of native limestone. The design submitted by architect William Bock called for a conventionally arranged structure having four uniform facades, intersecting main halls, and fireplaces on both floors. The agreement with contractor Simeon Bramlett further stipulated that the building be "forty-five by fifty feet with a base of three feet; lower story twelve feet to the ceiling; an upper story which is to be the courtroom and two clerks offices, 15 feet from floor to ceiling; and these with the cornice will give the buildings an elevation of about thirty-three feet--it will be furnished handsomely throughout with seats for the audience without the bar of the courtroom rising from front to back. The walls are to be eighteen inches thick."
The building was completed on December 1, 1859, at a cost of $13,635. Like its predecessor, the building was evidently not well received and none of the commissioners who voted for funds for construction was reelected. On August 20, 1860, funds were appropriated to gravel the courthouse square.
By 1883 the existing courthouse had become structurally unsound. Several grand juries ordered it condemned and approval was given for the construction of the present courthouse. Architects J.N. Preston and Sons noted later for their design of the Driskill Hotel in Austin, submitted drawings. Contractor Ben D. Lee of Belton entered a low bid of $64,965 and construction proceeded with the laying of the cornerstone on June 24, 1884. The building was accepted by the county on May 30, 1885. The finished structure with its classical porticos and one hundred and twenty-five-foot tower surmounted by a statue of the Goddess of Justice must have been an impressive sight. The Fort Worth Daily Gazette of May 19, 1885, noted admiringly that, "Among the many new courthouses built in the state during the past three years... the Bell County Courthouse surpasses all in the beauty of design and elegance of finish ..."
Local significance of the building:
Before the official creation of the county, public business was transacted at John Danley's Blacksmith Shop, with an anvil as a council table. On December 14, 1850, county officials approved the construction of the first of three courthouses to be situated on the town square, laid out in the midst of a 120-acre site donated by Matilda F. Connell Allen for the county seat. The first courthouse was a one-story frame building 16 feet by 18 feet built by contractor Thomas T. Havens, and completed in May 1851 at a cost of $199.00. Its construction was funded by the sale of town lots.
The building soon proved inadequate; most county officials continued to transact public business from commercial structures.
On April 1, 1850, the Bell County Commissioners' Court voted to build a new two-story courthouse of native limestone. The design submitted by architect William Bock called for a conventionally arranged structure having four uniform facades, intersecting main halls, and fireplaces on both floors. The agreement with contractor Simeon Bramlett further stipulated that the building be "forty-five by fifty feet with a base of three feet; lower story twelve feet to the ceiling; an upper story which is to be the courtroom and two clerks offices, 15 feet from floor to ceiling; and these with the cornice will give the buildings an elevation of about thirty-three feet--it will be furnished handsomely throughout with seats for the audience without the bar of the courtroom rising from front to back. The walls are to be eighteen inches thick."
The building was completed on December 1, 1859, at a cost of $13,635. Like its predecessor, the building was evidently not well received and none of the commissioners who voted for funds for construction was reelected. On August 20, 1860, funds were appropriated to gravel the courthouse square.
By 1883 the existing courthouse had become structurally unsound. Several grand juries ordered it condemned and approval was given for the construction of the present courthouse. Architects J.N. Preston and Sons noted later for their design of the Driskill Hotel in Austin, submitted drawings. Contractor Ben D. Lee of Belton entered a low bid of $64,965 and construction proceeded with the laying of the cornerstone on June 24, 1884. The building was accepted by the county on May 30, 1885. The finished structure with its classical porticos and one hundred and twenty-five-foot tower surmounted by a statue of the Goddess of Justice must have been an impressive sight. The Fort Worth Daily Gazette of May 19, 1885, noted admiringly that, "Among the many new courthouses built in the state during the past three years... the Bell County Courthouse surpasses all in the beauty of design and elegance of finish ..."
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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 is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
About Bell County
Bell County Timeline
Bell County, located in central Texas, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche. European settlers began arriving in the early 19th century, with the first permanent settlement established in 1850 by Thomas M. Bigham, who built a log cabin near the Lampasas River.
The county was officially established in 1850 and named after Governor Peter H. Bell. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became the primary industry in the region, with the first cotton gin built in 1853. The county also became an important shipping point due to its proximity to the Chisholm Trail, which was used to drive cattle to markets in the north.
During the Civil War, Bell County played a significant role in supporting the Confederate cause. Several Confederate camps were established in the area, and the county experienced some military action, including the Battle of Stampede Valley in 1863. After the war, the county began to recover and diversify its economy. The railroad arrived in the late 19th century, bringing further growth and development.
In the 20th century, Bell County continued to experience growth and modernization. Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the country, was established in 1942. The presence of the military base provided a significant economic boost to the county and continues to be a major employer and contributor to the local economy. Today, Bell County is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and military-related industries.
The county was officially established in 1850 and named after Governor Peter H. Bell. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became the primary industry in the region, with the first cotton gin built in 1853. The county also became an important shipping point due to its proximity to the Chisholm Trail, which was used to drive cattle to markets in the north.
During the Civil War, Bell County played a significant role in supporting the Confederate cause. Several Confederate camps were established in the area, and the county experienced some military action, including the Battle of Stampede Valley in 1863. After the war, the county began to recover and diversify its economy. The railroad arrived in the late 19th century, bringing further growth and development.
In the 20th century, Bell County continued to experience growth and modernization. Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the country, was established in 1942. The presence of the military base provided a significant economic boost to the county and continues to be a major employer and contributor to the local economy. Today, Bell County is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and military-related industries.
Bell County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bell County, Texas.
- 1834 - Bell County is established by the Republic of Texas
- 1850 - The first permanent settlement, known as Nolanville, is established
- 1851 - A post office is established in the town of Belton
- 1852 - The county seat is moved from Nolanville to Belton
- 1858 - The Belton Female College is founded
- 1861-1865 - Bell County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War
- 1870 - The Houston and Texas Central Railway arrives in Bell County, boosting economic growth
- 1881 - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is founded in Belton
- 1892 - The town of Temple is established as a railroad town
- 1913 - The Santa Fe Railroad builds a major railroad station in Temple
- 1920s - Bell County experiences an oil boom
- 1957 - Construction begins on the Fort Hood military base
- 1980s - Bell County's economy diversifies with the growth of healthcare and technology industries
- 2005 - The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery is established in Killeen