Edwards County Courthouse
Rocksprings, TexasBuilt in 1891 in Romanesque Revival architectual style by architect Ben Davey & Bruno Schott by contractor Davey and Schott, Kerrville.
Built in 1891, the Edwards County Courthouse was designed by Ben Davey and Bruno Schott in the Romanesque Revival style. The plan is a simple square with offices on the ground level and the courtroom located on the second floor. A single corridor running north and south provides access to the ground level rooms, while a centrally located stair on the east side of this hall furnishes access to the second floor courtroom. The building is constructed of coursed native limestone. Decorative quoins, arches over each entry door and an unadorned stringcourse beneath the hipped roof's cornice line all function as an integral part of the symmetrically proportioned facades. Wooden two-over-two double hung windows have been placed regularly throughout the courthouse and are embellished with simple sills and lintels. The focal points of the structure are the pavilions of the north and south elevations. Edging the gables of these pavilions are the courthouse's only elaborate ornamentationÑraking cornices of smooth stone cut into intricately foliated designs. Set into the arched entry doors of each pavilion are simply fashioned, wooden fanlight transoms. With several exceptions, the Edwards County Courthouse has retained most of its 1891 appearance. Some restoration work was done following fire damage in 1898, and a new roof was built in 1927 to replace the original roof, which was torn off in a tornado. It is known that the gables once featured mansard roofs; it is possible that the original main roof was also of this style.
1898: razed by fire, rebuilt with the same walls1927: roof altered after tornado damage
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.
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers began to venture into the region, claiming the land for Spain. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that the Spanish government established several missions and presidios in the area, including the Presidio de San Sabá. These missions aimed to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity and establish a Spanish presence in the region.
During the early 19th century, Edwards County played a significant role in the fight for Texas independence from Mexico. In 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto, a crucial turning point in the Texas Revolution, took place near present-day Edwards County. The Republic of Texas was formed shortly after, and Edwards County became part of the new nation.
As the 19th century progressed, settlers began to move into Edwards County, establishing ranches and farms. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw fluctuations in the population and economy of the county, as the region faced challenges such as conflicts with Native American tribes and the effects of the Great Depression.
Today, Edwards County is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the scenic Edwards Plateau. Ranching and hunting are still important economic activities in the area. The county's rich history and natural beauty continue to attract visitors who come to explore its historic sites, enjoy outdoor activities, and experience the unique culture and heritage of Edwards County, Texas.
Edwards County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Edwards County, Texas.
- 1760s: The area of Edwards County is inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Lipan Apache and Comanche.
- 1825: The Mexican government grants a land grant called the Beales-Miller Grant, which includes the land that later becomes Edwards County.
- 1838: The Texas legislature establishes Edwards County as a separate entity, named after Haden Edwards, an empresario who had a role in the Anglo-American colonization of Texas.
- 1872: The county seat is established in Rocksprings, which becomes the center of government and commerce for Edwards County.
- 1913: The construction of the South Texas Railroad brings new settlers and economic opportunities to Edwards County.
- 1927: The discovery of oil in Edwards County leads to an oil boom, sparking rapid growth and development in the area.
- 1940s: The population of Edwards County peaks, as the oil industry brings in more workers and businesses.
- 1950s-1970s: The oil industry experiences a decline, leading to a decrease in population and economic activity in Edwards County.
- 1980s-present: Edwards County experiences a shift towards ranching and tourism, with the natural beauty of the area becoming a draw for visitors.