Historic Courthouse

Fayette County Courthouse

La Grange, Texas

Built in 1857 in Greek Revival? architectual style by architect Carl Wilhelm von Rosenburg by contractor H. L. Kreische.

This two story stone structure was described in local accounts as substantial rather than elegant. Photographs depict a smooth faced, probably limestone, building with quoins and a very simple cornice with a short parapet. The front facade included an entrance with double doors topped by a six pane transom. Above the entrance was an iron balcony with a geometrically designed rail and accessed by French doors. Two 12 over 12 double hung windows with stone lintels and sills flanked the doors on each floor. The side facades had three pairs of the same windows per floor. The relatively wide space between the pairs allowed room for two chimneys which projected slightly above the parapet. The rear facade of the building is not depicted in any photographs but appears to have a small, one story building attached. The large tower rose centrally from a low hipped roof. The tower's lower section was square and symmetrical tapering slightly toward the top. Approximately 10 to 15 feet in height, this tower section was board and batten and was topped by a small simple cornice. A rectangular ventilator penetrated the front facade just above the roof line. The upper section of the tower was octagonal in shape with each side having a shuttered or louvered opening flanked by wood pilasters. The tower was topped with another simple crown moulding and finally by a small dome with a wind vane. The tower's upper section housed a bell for which the county paid $300.00. At some point a clock was added to the lower section of the tower with the face displayed on the front facade. The basement and first floor housed county offices and the second floor the courtroom. Embellishments were meager. Mantles were marbled, the dome gilded and the names of county officers painted above the doors. The building was occupied in May, 1857 and served the county for more than 30 years.

Current status: gone

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.

law courthouses buildings
The Alamo, a mission in San Antonio, is perhaps the most famous historical site in Texas. It was the site of a key battle during the Texas Revolution in 1836.
Texas random facts
Fayette County, Texas, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The area was first settled by indigenous Native American tribes, such as the Lipan Apache and Karankawa, who thrived off the bountiful natural resources of the region. European exploration and colonization began in the late 17th century when Spanish explorers arrived, followed by French adventurers and American frontiersmen.

The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.

During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.

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

  • 1837 – Fayette County is established as one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838 – The permanent county seat is established in La Grange.
  • 1861-1865 – Fayette County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
  • 1873 – The railroad reaches Fayette County, spurring economic growth.
  • 1901 – The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the discovery of the West Point Oil Field.
  • 1905 – The monumental Fayette County Courthouse is built.
  • 1950s-1970s – Fayette County experiences an agricultural boom due to the construction of the Fayette Power Project and Fayette Nuclear Plant.
  • 1998 – Fayette County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • 2011 – The historic town square in La Grange is added to the National Register of Historic Places.