Historic Courthouse

Glasscock County Jail

Garden City, Texas

Built in 1894 and contractor L.T. Noyes.

Stone two story building housing both the courthouse and the jail. Vernacular, stone, 2-story building on a square plan.

Current status: Jail

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.

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The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
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Glasscock County is a county located in the state of Texas, specifically in the western part of the state. The county was officially established in 1887 and was named after George Washington Glasscock, who was a Texas patriot and a soldier during the Texas Revolution. The county was carved out of land that was previously a part of Tom Green County. The first settlement in the area was established in 1880, with the town of Garden City acting as the county seat.

During its early years, Glasscock County was primarily an agricultural area, with ranching and farming being the main economic activities. Cattle ranching was especially prominent, and many small family-owned ranches were established in the county. However, the area faced major challenges due to its arid climate and lack of water resources, with droughts often hitting the region.

In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil brought significant changes to Glasscock County. The county experienced a boom in oil production, which led to an influx of people and an economic boost. The discovery of oil also brought infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of roads and pipelines. However, in the 1940s, the oil production declined, and agriculture once again became the primary industry in the county.

Today, Glasscock County is still primarily an agricultural area, with ranching and farming continuing to be the main sources of income for its residents. The county has also seen some growth in the renewable energy sector, with the development of wind farms. Glasscock County remains a small rural community, known for its friendly residents and tight-knit community spirit.

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

  • 1880: Glasscock County is established and named after George Washington Glasscock, a Texas Revolution soldier.
  • 1887: The first post office is established in the county.
  • 1908: The town of Garden City is founded.
  • 1909: The first school in Glasscock County is built.
  • 1926: The discovery of oil in the county leads to a boom in population and economic growth.
  • 1932: Glasscock County's first elected officials are appointed.
  • 1951: The Glasscock County Courthouse is built.
  • 1970: The population of Glasscock County reaches its peak at around 2,000 residents.
  • 1992: The Glasscock County Museum is established to preserve the history of the area.