Historic Courthouse

Hood County Courthouse

100 E Pearl St, Granbury, Texas

Built in 1890 in Second Empire with Italianate influences architectual style by architect W. C. Dodson.

W. C. Dodson designed the Hood County Courthouse, which was built in 1890 to 1891. The three-story limestone structure, patterned after the popular French Second Empire style, possesses a basic composition that Dodson had previously used in the county courthouses of Lampasas (1883), Parker (1885), and Hill (1890). The facades are divided into five-parts: an entry pavilion, two recessed bays and two mansard-roofed end pavilions. A hipped roof covers the main body of the building, and the end pavilions are adorned with a truncated, hipped roof with a pyramidal cap. Four chimneys extend from the roof. A three-story clock tower rises from the center of the roof with the first and top story constructed with mansard roofs. The first floor of the tower features a pair of windows on all four sides, each with an elaborate, arched hood. The middle section of the tower has a Palladian window frame that houses a vent for the tower. A decorative hood molding is placed over the filled sidelights as well as over the center. The third floor of the tower houses the clock, which is topped by another decorative hood molding. The tower is crowned by a decorative metal railing. The central entrance pavilion features rusticated pilasters flanking the arched doorway. The pilasters are topped with a bracket supporting the extended sill of the window above, thus giving the impression of a small porch. Above the extended sill are elongated Roman arched windows. Three small windows, an arched one in the center, finish the window treatment of the central pavilion. The pavilion's roof is gabled. The first and third floor windows of the building are Roman arched windows, with the first floor windows being slightly elongated. The second floor features windows with a segmented arch. Additional decorative elements are pilasters edging all projecting corners of the courthouse and an elaborate cornice. The building displays a smooth cut water table and window sills on the first, second and third floors, which extend around the building to create a belt course. The arches over the windows, made from alternating smooth and rusticated stone, rest upon a belt course placed in the center of the first and third floor.

dropped ceilings, quarry tile over original wood floors

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.

law courthouses buildings
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
Texas random facts
Hood County, located in the state of Texas, has a rich and diverse history spanning centuries. The area was initially inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Lipan Apache. European settlement began in the 1850s when the Texas legislature established Hood County in 1866, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood.

The county quickly grew as settlers arrived, and Granbury, the county seat, was founded in 1867. Throughout the late 1800s, Hood County experienced significant developments in infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, and the arrival of the railroad. These advancements facilitated trade and brought newfound prosperity to the area.

The late 19th century also witnessed the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction era on Hood County. Former slaves were granted freedoms, and the county's demographics started to shift. The farming and ranching industries flourished, with cattle becoming a primary economic driver.

In the 20th century, Hood County continued to grow and adapt. With the advent of the automobile, transportation improved and helped connect the county with surrounding areas. The county's economy diversified, incorporating industries such as manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. Today, Hood County is known for its natural beauty, historic downtown areas, and vibrant community, attracting tourists and new residents alike.

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

  • 1856 - Hood County is established on January 25.
  • 1860s - The community of Hood County is primarily settled by Anglo-Americans.
  • 1867 - The town of Granbury is founded and becomes the county seat.
  • 1875 - The city of Granbury is incorporated.
  • 1885 - The Texas Central Railroad reaches Granbury.
  • 1890s - Hood County experiences an oil boom, leading to increased population and economic growth.
  • 1921 - The Hood County Courthouse is built.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression impacts Hood County, causing financial hardship for many residents.
  • 1947 - Lake Granbury is created by the construction of De Cordova Bend Dam.
  • 1970 - The Hood County Historical Museum is established.
  • 1990s - Hood County sees significant population growth due to its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.