Historic Courthouse

Brooks County Courthouse

Falfurrias, Texas

Built in 1914 in Classical Revival architectual style by architect Alfred Giles by contractor Westlake & Mizell.

2 1/2-story, brick building with terra cotta classical details. The front facade features a 2-story loggia with composite columns. 1st- and 2nd-story windows are set in a 2-story round arch. 3rd-story windows are small rectangular openings set between two ledges.

-Exterior windows and doors replaced with aluminum frames-1993 Courtroom balcony enclosed to create law library--1984-85 some rehab on first floor including paint removal from historic woodwork, cleaning of floors and baseboards and replacement of light f

Current status: Active Courthouse

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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Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
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Brooks County, located in southern Texas, has a rich history that spans several centuries. The region that is now Brooks County was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Karankawa peoples. In the 18th century, Spanish explorers and missionaries began to settle in the area, establishing missions and ranches. This marked the beginning of European influence and colonization in the region.

During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, Brooks County became a significant battleground between Mexican troops and Texan rebels. The Battle of Espantosa, fought in the county in 1835, was a notable conflict that helped secure Texan independence from Mexico. After the revolution, the region experienced a surge in population as settlers arrived from the United States, seeking new opportunities in farming and ranching.

The establishment of the King Ranch, one of the largest and most influential ranches in the state, in the mid-19th century had a significant impact on Brooks County. The ranch brought economic stability, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. As the ranching industry grew, so did the county's population and reputation as a center for livestock production.

Brooks County also has a troubled past related to racial tensions and civil rights struggles. During the early 20th century, the county was a hotspot for racial violence against African Americans and Mexican Americans. The infamous "brooks county murders" in 1919, where several Black individuals were lynched by a mob, highlight the dark side of the county's history. Despite these challenges, Brooks County has evolved and grown over time, and today, it continues to thrive as an important agricultural and cultural hub in Texas.

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

  • 1848: Brooks County is established by the Texas Legislature, named after James Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and a Texas Revolution veteran.
  • 1857: The first permanent settlement is established in Brooks County near the present-day town of Falfurrias.
  • 1870: Falfurrias is founded and becomes the county seat of Brooks County.
  • 1904: The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reaches Falfurrias, boosting the town's economic growth.
  • 1919: The discovery of oil and gas in the county brings a new wave of prosperity.
  • 1920s-1930s: The population of Brooks County increases rapidly due to the oil and gas industry, agriculture, and ranching.
  • 1940s-1950s: Brooks County sees a decline in population due to the depletion of oil and gas resources.
  • 1990s: Falfurrias experiences economic growth with the establishment of several manufacturing and processing plants.
  • 2005: Hurricane Katrina brings heavy rainfall and flooding to Brooks County, causing significant damage.
  • Present: Brooks County continues to be an important agricultural and ranching region in Texas, known for its cattle ranches and citrus orchards.