Historic Courthouse

Frio County Courthouse

Pearsall, Texas

Built in 1904 in Renaissance Revival architectual style by architect Henry T. Phelps by contractor R.O Langworthy.

The Frio Country Courthouse was originally constructed as a three story brick courthouse with tower located at the center of the north side. The structure was originally covered by a slate roof, but this proved unsatisfactory and in 1911 it was removed.

-Windows replaced, third floor and hipped roof removed in 1930s.
Significantly altered again in 1950.

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.

cities and towns railroads women women's history topics
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.
Texas random facts
Frio County, located in southwest Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The region was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecans and Lipan Apaches, who relied on the area's abundant natural resources for survival.

The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 17th century brought significant changes to the region. Spanish missionaries established settlements and began introducing Christianity to the Native American tribes. One such settlement was the San Agustín de Laredo Presidio, which was founded in 1755 and served as a military outpost to protect Spanish interests in the area.

During the 19th century, Frio County experienced its major period of settlement. In 1858, the first Anglo-American families began to arrive, attracted by the fertile land and the potential for agriculture. The county was officially established in 1858 and was named after the Frio River, which runs through its western portion.

The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought further development and prosperity to Frio County. Oil fields were established in the area, attracting workers and boosting the local economy. Today, Frio County is known for its oil and gas production, as well as its agricultural activities such as ranching and farming. The county continues to thrive, blending its rich history with modern industry and a strong sense of community.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Frio County, Texas.

  • 1858 - Frio County is established from portions of Atascosa, Bexar, Uvalde, and Webb counties.
  • 1868 - The first post office is established in Frio City.
  • 1878 - The county seat is moved from Frio City to Pearsall.
  • 1880 - The Southern Pacific Railroad is extended into Frio County, boosting economic growth.
  • 1900 - The population of Frio County reaches over 7,000 residents.
  • 1911 - A major flood causes significant damage to the county.
  • 1927 - Frio County suffers from another devastating flood.
  • 1934 - The Civilian Conservation Corps establishes Camp F-2 Company 1827 at Frio County Airport.
  • 1940s - The discovery of oil and gas leads to increased economic activity in the county.
  • 1990 - The population of Frio County exceeds 12,000 residents.
  • 2010 - Frio County celebrates its 150th anniversary.