Hall County Courthouse

The 1923 Hall County Courthouse, designed by Page Brothers, Architects in the Classical Revival style, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion A for Government and Criterion C for Architecture. Although the building's windows have been altered and some of the historic materials are deteriorating, the overall massing and ornamentation remain, making it a good example of the style. Although sited on the east side of town, near the railroad tracks, it remains a focal point for the community of Memphis and has been the seat of county government for several decades. It is one of many extant Texas courthouses designed by the noted brothers C.H. and L.C. Page.

Hall County

In 1890, the Texas Legislature carved Hall County from the Donley County District." Voters chose Memphis as the county seat in a contentious election that same year. The county population at the time of the election was 203 people. Because of the hostility between the three rival towns, Memphis, Lakeview and Salisbury, the Texas Rangers reportedly were called in before the election to keep the peace." The Rev. J.W. Brice, one of the town's founders, chose the town's name during a trip to Austin. After submitting numerous name applications and having them rejected, he saw an envelope addressed in error to Memphis, Texas, with the notation, "No such town in Texas. He submitted the name, and it became the name of the new town. Planners platted the town site next to the rail lines, and a train stop and a depot were completed in 1891.

That year, Memphis leaders worked with residents of nearby Salisbury," and the Memphis Town Site Company gave lots to those holding property in Salisbury and moved all buildings free of charge.

Cattle ranching has been the dominant industry in the Hall County area since the 1860s. In the late 1890s, the large ranches were bought out by larger interests or were divided into smaller farming plots and sold. This process encouraged the influx of a larger number of settlers to the county," and county population peaked at 16,986 of mostly small farmers in the 1930 Census, just before the Dust Bowl crisis." After many left the area during the Dust Bowl, the decline of the small family farm accelerated during the 1950s and '60s. Farming and ranching continue today to be the only economic generator in Hall County. Current farming practices include large acreages of cotton and grain, with large cattle spreads, returning again to few landowners or corporations controlling large tracts of land.

Temporary Courthouse, 1890-1893

The first temporary courthouse for Hall County, a frame building, was located on the south side of the town square, later to become the courthouse square. This building located on a parcel designated as Lot No. 4 was first rented and then purchased on January 15, 1890. It served as the Hall County Courthouse until the county completed its first permanent courthouse in 1893 (date of final acceptance and payment, although 1892 is often listed as the date of completion) for $45,000. J.A. White bought the temporary courthouse on December 15, 1893, after the county occupied its new building.

The commissioners' court approved the contract for the construction of the first permanent courthouse on May 14, 1891, with J.A. White of Vernon, Texas for $34,500. As no architect is mentioned in the minutes or in the county history, Yesterday in Hall County, the contract was most likely with a design-build firm. The new courthouse was sited on Block No. 1, the former town square, deeded by the townsite company to the county for the courthouse. The first sheriff's office and jail building was also provided the same year, designed by Pauley Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Mo." This building, per current accounts and observation of the first-floor plan, also served as the sheriff's residence. Because the county apparently had problems selling bonds to finance the building and keeping supervisory staff for construction, the new courthouse was not completed and occupied until 1893. The county purchased furniture for the building late during the construction period.

The first permanent courthouse was two stories and had brick masonry;54 it probably also had a basement, although one is not referenced in minutes (contemporary records do list it as a three-story building). The county removed the original central tower with a cupola after a damaging windstorm in 1913.

Commissioners court minutes record repairs to the foundation required in 190656 and installation of bracing and tension rods on April 11, 1922. On October 19, 1922, the county requested that W.R. Hendrickson, Inspector of Masonry and Public Buildings and Works of the State of Texas inspect both the courthouse and the county jail. Commissioners court minutes record that Hendrickson's courthouse inspection found "The weight of the structure is crushing the brick foundations..." and that "...the tie rods on the top floor had pulled through the masonry."58 He stated that the building might collapse in a severe windstorm, that it was hazardous to perform further work on the building, and that it be demolished. In spite of this harsh recommendation, the county continued to occupy the building until January 27, 1923, at which time it vacated the building and leased temporary space in the Hall County National Bank. Demolition proceeded as part of the contract for the construction of a new building at the same location.

C.H. Page and Brother, of Austin, Texas were contracted on October 31, 1922, to design the new courthouse, with a fee of five percent of the actual construction cost. The current Hall County Courthouse has about 22,123 square feet on four levels, according to our field measurements. The final contract with the Page brothers was dated October 25, 1922. The bond election held on December 4, 1922, resulted in 438 votes for and 23 votes against the sale of bonds for the construction of the new building. The value of the bonds was $150,000 for the cost of construction. Construction documents were completed, and bids were opened on December 4, 1922, with the unanimous vote to accept the low bid from Walker Construction Company of San Antonio, Texas.

After the Contract for Construction circulated back to the architects in Austin for review and approval, construction commenced. Commissioners court minutes record that weather stripping was added to specifications for the entry doors, red quarry tile was added to the interior corridors and interior steps, and Gravina Marble was added for the second-floor base and wainscot. The tile was installed, but the marble never made an appearance, being deleted by later notes in the minutes. The prime contractor was Walker Construction Company; other contractors included Convers-French Electrical Company, L. Holt Plumbing and Heating Company, and Stewart / Anthony, Contractors." Also noted in the minutes, white pine, framed window screens were added on March 13, 1923. The marble was deleted, and the quarry tile base matching the floor was revised at the same time. Thompson Brothers Hardware received the contract for the builder's hardware, and the hardware schedule is also listed in the minutes. Plans and specifications drawn and prepared by C.H. Page & Brother were prepared for furniture and fixtures, including electrical fixtures, pews, linoleum, "...and so forth." The commissioners' court approved the documents on August 13, 1923,70 and minutes record the details, with a statement of contracts for desks, chairs, tables, linoleum, light fixtures from Swann-Schulle Co. of Austin; courtroom fixtures from Largent Lyons of Dallas; metal fixtures from Art Metal Company of Dallas; window blinds and screens from Western Blind and Screen Co. of Dallas; opera chairs from Ewa Rowles of Wichita Falls; and jury dormitory furniture and ladies rest room furniture from King Furniture in Memphis."

The county made the final payment to the contractor on December 21, 1923, less withholding, with the final payment to the architect on the same date."2 On January 14, 1924, the heating system was completed, and on March 21, 1924, the final inspection was performed and the building was accepted from the contractor with the final payment made."