De Witt County Courthouse
Bounded by N. Gonzales, E. Live Oak, N. Clinton, and E. Courthouse Sts., Cuero, TXThe DeWitt County Courthouse is a late nineteenth-century Texas building strongly influenced by H. H. Richardson's Allegheny County Courthouse (1884-88) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The county is in south central Texas and was created in 1846 out of parts of Gonzales, Goliad, and Victoria counties. The area approximated that of the original 1825 Mexican grant to Empresario Green DeWitt.
The courthouse is located at Cuero, the present county seat of DeWitt County. Cuero, named for nearby Cuero Creek, had been originally projected as a town in 1842, but its establishment was unsuccessful at that time. "Cuero" is the Spanish translation of the Indian word for "hides". Cuero was finally established by John C. French and Gustav Schleicher, who laid off a town in January 1873, to serve as the terminus of the Gulf, Western, and Pacific Railroad. Thirty years of bitter feuding between towns had passed before Cuero was chosen as the county seat in 1876. Between 1846 and 1876 the county records were moved at least four times. Three expectant towns built courthouses of varying permanency. Clinton held the county seat from 1840 until 1876 when the final move was made to Cuero. The Commissioners paid $1,100 to move and repair the former frame Clinton courthouse to the site of the present courthouse in Cuero.
This building burned on April 8, 1894, and the D. W. Nash School was rented for temporary quarters. Bonds for $70,000 were issued and a contract was awarded to A. 0. Watson of Austin to design and construct a new building and include furniture for offices and courtrooms. The building was completed by builder Eugene Heiner of Houston in 1896.
The city of Cuero was on an immigrant route. Germans constituted the majority of the population by 1860. In 1940 75% of the white population was of German extraction. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966.
The courthouse is located at Cuero, the present county seat of DeWitt County. Cuero, named for nearby Cuero Creek, had been originally projected as a town in 1842, but its establishment was unsuccessful at that time. "Cuero" is the Spanish translation of the Indian word for "hides". Cuero was finally established by John C. French and Gustav Schleicher, who laid off a town in January 1873, to serve as the terminus of the Gulf, Western, and Pacific Railroad. Thirty years of bitter feuding between towns had passed before Cuero was chosen as the county seat in 1876. Between 1846 and 1876 the county records were moved at least four times. Three expectant towns built courthouses of varying permanency. Clinton held the county seat from 1840 until 1876 when the final move was made to Cuero. The Commissioners paid $1,100 to move and repair the former frame Clinton courthouse to the site of the present courthouse in Cuero.
This building burned on April 8, 1894, and the D. W. Nash School was rented for temporary quarters. Bonds for $70,000 were issued and a contract was awarded to A. 0. Watson of Austin to design and construct a new building and include furniture for offices and courtrooms. The building was completed by builder Eugene Heiner of Houston in 1896.
The city of Cuero was on an immigrant route. Germans constituted the majority of the population by 1860. In 1940 75% of the white population was of German extraction. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966.
Bibliography
Hitchcock, H. R. The Architecture of H. H. Richardson and His Times. Cambridge, 1961
Webb, Walter P., ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952
Coursey, Clark. Courthouses of Texas. Waco, 1954.
Texas State Historical Survey Committee - Marker Files.
Webb, Walter P., ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952
Coursey, Clark. Courthouses of Texas. Waco, 1954.
Texas State Historical Survey Committee - Marker Files.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
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About DeWitt County
DeWitt County Timeline
DeWitt County, located in Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back to early Native American civilizations. The area was home to various indigenous tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa, who utilized the region's natural resources for sustenance and trade.
In 1827, the area that is now DeWitt County was incorporated into the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. Shortly after, American settlement began in the region, with empresarios such as Green DeWitt and Martín de León playing significant roles. DeWitt, for whom the county is named, received a land grant in 1825 and played a vital part in bringing Anglo-American colonizers to the area.
DeWitt County saw significant growth during the Texas Revolution in the 1830s. The Battle of Gonzales, the first engagement of the revolution, occurred just outside the county's boundaries. The county itself became a site of conflict during the revolution, with the Battle of Ethel's Woods and the Battle of Gonzales River Bridge taking place within its borders.
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, DeWitt County was officially established in 1846. The county seat was initially Gonzales, but it was moved to Cuero in 1876. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, DeWitt County experienced economic growth due to industries such as ranching, oil, and agriculture.
Present-day DeWitt County continues to thrive as a center for agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The county is known for its rich historical sites, including the Gonzales Memorial Museum, which houses artifacts from the Texas Revolution, and numerous ranches that showcase the area's strong cattle industry. DeWitt County's history is a testament to the resilience and determination of its early settlers and remains an essential part of Texas's broader historical narrative.
In 1827, the area that is now DeWitt County was incorporated into the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. Shortly after, American settlement began in the region, with empresarios such as Green DeWitt and Martín de León playing significant roles. DeWitt, for whom the county is named, received a land grant in 1825 and played a vital part in bringing Anglo-American colonizers to the area.
DeWitt County saw significant growth during the Texas Revolution in the 1830s. The Battle of Gonzales, the first engagement of the revolution, occurred just outside the county's boundaries. The county itself became a site of conflict during the revolution, with the Battle of Ethel's Woods and the Battle of Gonzales River Bridge taking place within its borders.
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, DeWitt County was officially established in 1846. The county seat was initially Gonzales, but it was moved to Cuero in 1876. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, DeWitt County experienced economic growth due to industries such as ranching, oil, and agriculture.
Present-day DeWitt County continues to thrive as a center for agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The county is known for its rich historical sites, including the Gonzales Memorial Museum, which houses artifacts from the Texas Revolution, and numerous ranches that showcase the area's strong cattle industry. DeWitt County's history is a testament to the resilience and determination of its early settlers and remains an essential part of Texas's broader historical narrative.
DeWitt County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of DeWitt County, Texas.
- 1827: DeWitt County is established as a part of DeWitt's Colony in Mexican Texas.
- 1840: The Battle of Plum Creek takes place in DeWitt County during the Texan Revolution.
- 1846: DeWitt County becomes a part of the newly formed Republic of Texas.
- 1848: Texas becomes a state of the United States, and DeWitt County remains a part of it.
- 1850: Population growth leads to the establishment of the county seat, Cuero.
- 1870: The Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway reaches Cuero, increasing trade and transportation opportunities.
- 1874: Cuero is officially incorporated as a city.
- 1893: Oil is discovered in DeWitt County, leading to economic growth and development.
- 1923: A disastrous fire destroys much of downtown Cuero.
- 1941-1945: DeWitt County contributes to the war effort during World War II.
- 1960s-1970s: DeWitt County experiences a decline in population and economic activity.
- 1990s-present: DeWitt County experiences a resurgence in oil and gas production, leading to economic growth.