Harrison County Courthouse

The Harrison County Courthouse possesses both architectural and historical significance. It is a fine Neo-Italian Renaissance Revival structure containing a beautiful rotunda within. The site of the building has been the center of community activity for well over a century and this building served county government for over a half century.

Located adjacent to the East Texas state line, Harrison County was organized in 1839 and named for Jonas Harrison, a prominent East Texas attorney. The first permanent settlers were primarily cotton planters. Marshall became the county seat in 1842 and has continuously remained as the seat of government to the present day.

Established in 1839 and named for Chief Justice John Marshall, the town of Marshall was laid out on land originally owned by Peter Whetstone, who donated the land for the public square. The square was a two-block area centered on the two axes of streets leading to it. Thus a setting was provided wherein the courthouse terminated the vistas from the streets as the square was approached.

As a result of successful cotton farming, Marshall became a thriving community prior to the Civil War. The arrival of the railroad in 1851 contributed impetus to the development of commercial and manufacturing activities. During the Civil War, following the fall of Vicksburg, Marshall became the Confederate Capital for that section of the South lying west of the Mississippi River. The city was evidently fortified on a small scale and a powder mill was established nearby.

During the antebellum period, after Marshall had been designated the county seat, commissioners authorized the construction of a log cabin for use as a courthouse. This was replaced in 1848-1849 by a cubical brick temple with a hipped roof and cupola in Greek Revival style one of the finest antebellum courthouses to be built in Texas. Each of the four identical walls of this temple was articulated by five pilasters with capitals and bases supporting a heavy entablature. Known as the "Little Virginia Courthouse" after the source of the inspiration for its design this building was much admired, although before it was completed the local newspaper observed the need for a clock to enable Marshall society "...to give system and regularity to its movements."

In 1887, after it was concluded that the Greek Revival temple was no longer safe, county commissioners determined to build a new courthouse. The following year, bids were received on plans developed by the architectural firm of McQuick and Tozer of Dallas. After considering bids ranging from $42,500 to $73,450, commissioners awarded the contract to James Higgins of Marshall for $47,000 Higgins also bought the old courthouse for $375. This new temple was built from St. Louis pressed brick with sandstone trim, and featured Italianate details and a tower rising 175 feet. After serving the county for nearly 11 years, it was destroyed by a fire started when a spark from a tinner's firepot ignited birds' nests under the courthouse eaves. Salamander Fire Department attempted to save the structure but adversity struck: a hose cart upset on the driver, there was no coal for the engine pumper, and the courthouse cistern had little water in it. However, fireproof vaults protected county records.

Later that year the issuance of bonds was authorized and within a short time architects J. Riely Gordon of San Antonio Dallas, and C. G. Lancaster of Marshall were commissioned to design a new courthouse - Gordon provided the design while Lancaster did the contracting supervision. The contractor for the new structure was Sonnefield and Emmins, prominent Texas builders. Completion of the courthouse in 1900 was celebrated with a banquette and festive ceremonies. The local newspaper reported, "Our new courthouse is a thing of beauty and will be a joy forever."

Additions changed the form of the courthouse but not the character. In 1924 and 1927 additions were made to the east and west according to the designs of C. G. Lancaster.
In 1964 a new brick courthouse was completed across the street from the southwest corner of the public square. The 1900 courthouse is preserved to house offices of governmental agencies and the county museum. Its merit certainly warrants continued preservation.