Coryell County Courthouse

Built in 1897 in Beaux Arts with Romanesque influences architectual style by architect W.C. Dodson by contractor Tom Lovell.

Constructed in 1897, the Coryell County Courthouse was designed by W. C. Dodson in the Beaux Arts style with Romanesque details. In his design, Dodson modified the traditional cross-axial plan to allow for the erection of a central tower. By moving the district courtroom to a position alongside the tower rather than centered underneath it, he was able to extend the masonry support walls to the ground and support the tower. Massive Classical porticos, differing somewhat in scale and treatment, define the north and south entries. The south portico has paired corner columns, while the north has single columns. The porticos rise from a one-story base of rusticated stone with arched entries in the lower level. The openings flanking the central arch are smaller on the north facade. Red sandstone Corinthian columns support white sandstone pediments, with the five pointed star of Texas inset in contrasting carved stone. Pavilions flanking the porticos were intended to carry twin statues of Liberty and Justice. All facades feature stairs rising to a central arched opening that leads to a shallow porch. On either side of this center arch are narrow Roman arches containing short balustrades. The east and west entries are treated in a more subdued fashion with only simple arched openings. At each corner of the east and west facade, a pavilion carries a ribbed metal dome topped with a finial. Quarter circular bays join the north facade to these pavilions. The first and third floors display arched windows with white sandstone voussoirs and contrasting red sandstone archivolts. Stringcourses of red sandstone are featured on all three floors. On the first and second floors, the stringcourses serve as the lintels. Pilasters with Corinthian capitals at the corners of the pavilions interrupt the stringcourse on the second and third floor. The courthouse is crowned by a raised dome surmounted by an open belfry. A broken entablature supported by Classical columns contributes to the richness of the clock tower. The floor plan of the first floor features two central corridors passing through the building, intersecting at right angels under a rotunda. A wide staircase located in the corridor of the south entrance leads to a large second floor landing and then onward to the center of the building, encompassing the rotunda opening. The district courtroom is located on the second floor. The form of this courtroom is built in the shape of on oval and dictates the shape of the entire north half of the courthouse. This oval is strongly expressed on the northeast and northwest corners of the building by the circular bays. On the first level, the bays contain the county courtroom, sheriff's office, and the county clerk,s office. Space for the grand jury and district clerk were located on the second floor, while the district courtroom balcony, jury rooms, and office space were located on the third floor.

1962: interior renovations-Substantial renovations in 1987-elevator and handicap accessibility added in 1987 by The Williams Co.

Current status: Active Courthouse