Historic Courthouse

McCulloch County Courthouse

Brady, Texas

Built in 1899 in Romanesque Revival architectual style by architect Martin & Moodie by contractor John MacDonald, Austin.

The existing McCulloch County Courthouse was built by Martin and Moodie of Comanche, Texas in 1899. The three-story building was designed in the Romanesque Revival style and follows the traditional cross-axial plan. On the exterior, the north and south elevations feature twin turrets that flank a low springing arched entrance. The entrance was designed with a pronounced archivolt with a braided design and terminates with a stone botanical motif. The window directly above the entry porch features a filled arched transom delineated by heavy voussoirs. It is likely that the first floor windows originally included Roman arches with pronounced voussoirs, but several have been replaced with cement lintels and limestone. These windows rest upon the water table. A smooth cut stringcourse defines the first and second floors, while a rusticated stringcourse girdles the building between the second and third floors, acting as a sill for the third story windows. Several of the courthouse windows feature cement lintels instead of the original limestone. The east and west entrances occupy projecting pavilions with triangular pediments. The east entrance pavilion features a Roman arch flanked by small rectangular openings. A simple bull's eye window sits in the center of the second story of the pavilion. The entrance pavilion's third floor displays a Roman arched window and small rectangular windows on either side, mimicking the same arrangement of the entranceway. Pinnacle shafts decorate the upper third of the pavilion. The arched entryway of the west entrance pavilion has been replaced with a concrete lintel and limestone, and a small window has been placed over the doorway. An ornamental border of diamond-faced cut stone rests upon the second-story stringcourse. The pavilion's second and third stories feature two sets of three windows; those of the second story are slightly elongated. The corners of the pavilions terminate in pinnacle shafts extending the height of the second and third stories. The walls terminate in a simple cornice and roof. A rather low, hip-roofed, square tower, topped with a finial and turrets at each corner, dominates the composition. Dormers hang over the entrances of the north and south.

Renovation in 1974.

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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Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
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McCulloch County is located in central Texas and was named after Benjamin McCulloch, a prominent figure in the Texas Revolution and the Confederate Army. The area was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Lipan Apache and Comanche before settlers arrived in the 1850s. In 1856, the county was officially established and Brady became the county seat.

During the Civil War, McCulloch County experienced its share of conflict as it was close to the western frontier. Many residents sympathized with the Confederacy, and Confederate troops were stationed in the area for defense. After the war, the county saw an influx of settlers from other parts of Texas and the United States. Agriculture, particularly farming and ranching, played a significant role in the county's economy during this time.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought several advancements to McCulloch County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s spurred economic growth and allowed for easier transportation of goods. This led to the establishment of cotton gins, lumber mills, and other industries in the area. The county also saw the development of schools, churches, and other community institutions.

In the modern era, McCulloch County continues to thrive as a rural community with a strong agricultural presence. It is known for its scenic beauty, including Brady Lake and the surrounding Hill Country. The county also celebrates its history and culture through events such as the Heart of Texas Country Music Festival and the McCulloch County Stock Show. Today, McCulloch County preserves its heritage while embracing the opportunities of the 21st century.

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

  • 1852 - McCulloch County is established.
  • 1856 - First settlers arrive in the area.
  • 1859 - Fort McKavett is built to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
  • 1873 - Brady becomes the county seat.
  • 1886 - San Saba and Northern Railway reaches Brady, boosting economic growth.
  • 1900 - Brady receives electric power and telephone services.
  • 1903 - St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is established in Brady.
  • 1910 - The Brady Lake Reservoir is constructed.
  • 1913 - Brady National Bank, one of the first banks in the county, is founded.
  • 1928 - The Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo begins in Brady.
  • 1936 - McCulloch County Airport is built.
  • 1984 - The Heart of Texas Historical Museum opens in Brady.
  • 1997 - Brady Creek Wind Farm, one of the largest wind farms in Texas, is built.