Old Brazoria County Courthouse
a.k.a. Angleton Library
Public Sq., Angleton, TXThe old courthouse building possesses architectural and governmental significance. It was built shortly after the county seat had been moved from nearby Angleton--only two years earlier, a beautiful and expensive Romanesque Revival temple of justice designed by James R. Gordon had been completed. The Angleton building has served county functions for over three-quarters of a century.
The history of Brazoria County dates back to the days in which Texas, along with Coahuila, was a part of a Mexico, the municipality of Brazoria was organized in 1832. A group of Stephen F. Austin's "old Three Hundred" colonists settled within the boundaries of the present county. Late in 1836, following the Texas Revolution, Brazoria County was established as a part of the Republic of Texas. Prior to the Civil War, sugar and cotton plantations produced much of the county's wealth. After the war, the economy declined, but near the end of the century agriculture again was contributing substantially to the county's prosperity.
When the county was organized in 1836, the town of Brazoria was established as the county seat. By 1837 it was reported that the community contained "a handsome courthouse and many neat dwellings."
By the 1890s county prosperity had developed sufficiently to finance a new temple of justice. In 1893 the old courthouse was condemned and bids, to be accompanied by plans and specifications, were invited.
Tor an unknown reason, all bids were rejected. After a committee visited courthouses that had been designed by George Dickey, Eugene T. Heiner, and J. Riely Gordon, the commission was awarded to Gordon for a new courthouse, which was built in Romanesque Revival style.
At about the time the commissioners' court accepted the new building, the town of Angleton was founded. To attract transportation interests, the land was donated to the Velasco Terminal Railroad. Shortly thereafter, in an election, county voters determined that the county seat should be removed from Brazoria to Angleton. After the seat of government was moved the former community declined.
In 1896 county commissioners advertised for bids on a courthouse and jail "depicting those at Bay City." Early the following year the privilege to use the plans for these buildings was purchased from architect Eugene T. Heiner of Houston. The courthouse was then built by contractor Tom Lovell for about $30,000. This edifice was remodeled in 1927 according to the plans of J.A. Tempest.
After another new courthouse was erected in 1940, this building was converted into a library. Subsequently, in 1976 a large addition was made to the 1940 building.
Local significance of the building:
The history of Brazoria County dates back to the days in which Texas, along with Coahuila, was a part of a Mexico, the municipality of Brazoria was organized in 1832. A group of Stephen F. Austin's "old Three Hundred" colonists settled within the boundaries of the present county. Late in 1836, following the Texas Revolution, Brazoria County was established as a part of the Republic of Texas. Prior to the Civil War, sugar and cotton plantations produced much of the county's wealth. After the war, the economy declined, but near the end of the century agriculture again was contributing substantially to the county's prosperity.
When the county was organized in 1836, the town of Brazoria was established as the county seat. By 1837 it was reported that the community contained "a handsome courthouse and many neat dwellings."
By the 1890s county prosperity had developed sufficiently to finance a new temple of justice. In 1893 the old courthouse was condemned and bids, to be accompanied by plans and specifications, were invited.
Tor an unknown reason, all bids were rejected. After a committee visited courthouses that had been designed by George Dickey, Eugene T. Heiner, and J. Riely Gordon, the commission was awarded to Gordon for a new courthouse, which was built in Romanesque Revival style.
At about the time the commissioners' court accepted the new building, the town of Angleton was founded. To attract transportation interests, the land was donated to the Velasco Terminal Railroad. Shortly thereafter, in an election, county voters determined that the county seat should be removed from Brazoria to Angleton. After the seat of government was moved the former community declined.
In 1896 county commissioners advertised for bids on a courthouse and jail "depicting those at Bay City." Early the following year the privilege to use the plans for these buildings was purchased from architect Eugene T. Heiner of Houston. The courthouse was then built by contractor Tom Lovell for about $30,000. This edifice was remodeled in 1927 according to the plans of J.A. Tempest.
After another new courthouse was erected in 1940, this building was converted into a library. Subsequently, in 1976 a large addition was made to the 1940 building.
Politics/government; 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.
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
About Brazoria County
Brazoria County Timeline
Brazoria County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Karankawa and the Atakapan, who thrived along the Gulf Coast. European exploration of the region began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorers venturing into the area. However, it was not until the 1820s that significant permanent settlements were established.
In 1822, Stephen F. Austin brought the first American colonists to the region, leading to the establishment of the Austin Colony. The county was officially organized in 1832 and was named after the Brazos River, which borders the county to the north. The economy of Brazoria County in the early years was predominantly agricultural, with cotton becoming a major cash crop and sugar production gaining prominence. Slavery played a significant role in the county’s economy, with many enslaved people working on the plantations.
During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, the area witnessed several historical events. Significantly, Velasco, a small community in Brazoria County, served as the site of the Battle of Velasco, where Texan rebels clashed with Mexican troops in June 1832. The county also provided numerous soldiers to the Texas Army, with several residents playing important roles in the fight for Texas independence.
In the following years, Brazoria County experienced growth and development, with several towns and communities emerging. In the late 19th century, railways expanded through the county, further boosting its economic prospects. The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought even greater prosperity to the area. Today, Brazoria County continues to thrive economically, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and tourism.
In 1822, Stephen F. Austin brought the first American colonists to the region, leading to the establishment of the Austin Colony. The county was officially organized in 1832 and was named after the Brazos River, which borders the county to the north. The economy of Brazoria County in the early years was predominantly agricultural, with cotton becoming a major cash crop and sugar production gaining prominence. Slavery played a significant role in the county’s economy, with many enslaved people working on the plantations.
During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, the area witnessed several historical events. Significantly, Velasco, a small community in Brazoria County, served as the site of the Battle of Velasco, where Texan rebels clashed with Mexican troops in June 1832. The county also provided numerous soldiers to the Texas Army, with several residents playing important roles in the fight for Texas independence.
In the following years, Brazoria County experienced growth and development, with several towns and communities emerging. In the late 19th century, railways expanded through the county, further boosting its economic prospects. The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought even greater prosperity to the area. Today, Brazoria County continues to thrive economically, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and tourism.
Brazoria County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Brazoria County, Texas.
- 1822 - Stephen Austin received the first land grant in the area that would become Brazoria County.
- 1832 - Brazoria County was officially established as a municipality of Mexico.
- 1836 - Texas gained independence from Mexico, and Brazoria County became part of the Republic of Texas.
- 1837 - The county seat was moved from Velasco to Brazoria.
- 1839 - The county seat was once again relocated, this time to Columbia.
- 1842 - Brazoria County was split, and part of it became Fort Bend County under the Republic of Texas.
- 1846 - Texas was admitted to the United States, and Brazoria County became a county in the state of Texas.
- 1892 - The county seat was moved from Columbia to Angleton, where it remains today.
- 1943 - Construction of the Dow Chemical Company plant began, making it a major employer and industry in the county.
- 1961 - Brazosport College was established in Brazoria County.
- 2019 - Brazoria County celebrates its rich history and continues to thrive as an important region in Texas.