Historic Courthouse

Midland County Courthouse

Midland, Texas

Built in 1930 in Art Deco architectual style.

Originally a 5 story limestone structure with low to high relief decorative panels, cornice, and pilaster capitals.

Completely altered in 1974 to 70s modern design, executed by Dixon and Staley or Wichita Falls, contractor J.W. Cooper Company.

Current status: existing/part of 1974

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 was once an independent country: After winning its independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country, known as the Republic of Texas. It existed as an independent nation for nine years before being annexed by the United States in 1845.
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Midland County, located in western Texas, has a rich and varied history dating back thousands of years. Before European settlers arrived, the area was home to various Native American tribes such as the Comanches and Kiowas, who lived off the land and utilized its resources for survival.

The first recorded European exploration in Midland County occurred in the mid-19th century when U.S. Army surveyors visited the area. In the late 1800s, settlers began establishing small ranching communities in the region. However, the true transformation of Midland County came in the early 1900s with the discovery of oil.

Following the discovery of oil, Midland County experienced a significant boom. The oil industry attracted thousands of people seeking fortune and opportunities. Midland became a major hub for oil production and attracted major oil companies. The boom brought rapid growth and development to the region, with infrastructure such as roads, housing, and businesses being built to accommodate the increasing population.

In recent decades, Midland County has continued to thrive as a center for the oil and gas industry. Its favorable geological formations and rich oil reserves have made it one of the largest oil-producing regions in the United States. Alongside the oil industry, Midland has diversified its economy with sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. Today, Midland County is known for its vibrant economy, bustling downtown, and strong sense of community. The county's history of resilience and adaptability has shaped it into a thriving region with a promising future.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Midland County, Texas.

  • 1885 - Midland County is officially organized.
  • 1886 - The first post office in Midland County is established.
  • 1890 - The population of Midland County is recorded as 418.
  • 1905 - The Moody family discovers oil near Midland, sparking the oil boom in the region.
  • 1920 - Midland's population reaches 7,500 due to the oil boom.
  • 1927 - The city of Midland is incorporated.
  • 1942 - Midland Army Air Field is established as a military training base during World War II.
  • 1951 - Midland College is founded.
  • 1952 - The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is established in Midland.
  • 1990 - The population of Midland County reaches over 90,000.
  • 2012 - The George W. Bush Childhood Home is opened as a museum in Midland.