Historic Courthouse

Hays County Courthouse

111 E San Antonio St, San Marcos, Texas

Built in 1908 in Renaissance Revival with Beaux Arts influences architectual style by architect C.H. Page and Brother by contractor Francis Fisher and R.C. Lambie.

The 3-story gray and buff colored Elgin brick structure sits on rusticated brick base. Exterior trim including the window and door facings and string course between the first and second floor are white limestone. A central projecting portico dominates the south facade, with its tall white limestone columns topped with Corinthian column capitals supporting a complete entablature. The east and west wings are terminated with domed corner projections with rounded pediments. Rising prominently above the low hipped roof is a central copper clad dome supported by interior wooden and iron beams. A 9 foot statue of the Goddess of Justice tops the dome. Clocks were not installed for fear of damaging the roof.

Elevator installed in ca. 1950. The original double height courtroom was divided in 1964, with the courtroom moved to the third floor space, and offices located on the second floor. In 1965 C.H. Page and Son designed an addition to the County Clerk's office on the northwest corner of the building. West entrance to the building was closed in 1971.- 1996/97 ISTEA Grant - exterior restoration and rehabilitation. Contract was let in Sept. 1996 and relet in Feb. 1997. Work is underway.

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.

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Hays County, located in the central part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. However, the first recorded European arrival in the region occurred in 1690 when Spanish explorers made their way through the area.

In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.

During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.

In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.

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

  • 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
  • 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
  • 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
  • 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
  • 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
  • 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
  • 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
  • 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.