Historic Courthouse

Montague County Courthouse

Montague, Texas

Built in 1913 in Classical Revival architectual style by architect George Burnett by contractor A. H. Rodgers.

Three 1/2 story dark brick structure with limestone details with grand entry portico supported by unusual giant order columns. Court proceedings were held in the opera house until the construction of the current courthouse was completed in 1913. The brick, Classical Revival style building was designed by Waco architect George L. Burnett and built by A. H. Rodgers of Henrietta. The cost of the courthouse was originally to be $90,000, but structural changes raised the cost to $100,000. A county jail was located on the fourth floor until the construction of a new jail on the square was completed in 1927.

A 1939 wind storm damaged the courthouse’s original dome and it was removed and replaced with what has been referred to as a “penthouse,” “a doghouse,” or a “chicken coop.” The interior was renovated as well, covering most of the historic finishes, especially in the courtroom. An exterior wheelchair ramp and a glass elevator were installed in 1985. Despite the changes, the building still retains many of its original architectural features. In 2013, a new county courthouse annex opened on the north side of the square and the 1912 courthouse received a new tile roof. The replacement of the courthouse’s windows was completed in 2014 and efforts still continue to have the dome replaced and the courthouse historically restored.

1939: Dome removed, aluminum frame entry doors added. Incompatible metal replacement windows. All interior doors have been replaced. Very little historic fabric remains. 1986-87: Large new entry stairs and ramp added. 1986-87: Glass an aluminum elevator built within the rotunda space. Completely unsympathetic.

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.

Texas Revolution Republic of Texas military topics
The Texans could and did bury Santa Ana out of sight and in plain view, in circumstances that show the men who did it knew their trade
Stephen Vincent Benét in John Brown's Body
Montague County, located in the state of Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Wichita and Caddo tribes, who relied on the land's resources for sustenance. In the early 1830s, European settlers began to arrive, establishing permanent settlements and bringing significant changes to the region.

The county's namesake, Daniel Montague, arrived in the area in 1854 and became one of the first permanent settlers. Montague County was officially established and organized in 1858, with Montague serving as its first county seat. However, due to ongoing conflicts with Native American tribes and accessibility issues, many of the early settlements faced challenges in their development.

The discovery of oil and gas reserves in Montague County in the early 1900s brought significant economic development to the region. This led to an increase in population and infrastructure, and the county experienced a boom in oil production during the mid-20th century. The county's economy diversified over time to include agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, contributing to its growth and stability.

Today, Montague County is known for its picturesque scenery, with rolling hills, vast prairies, and scenic rivers attracting outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The county also celebrates its history through its various museums, historical landmarks, and annual events, preserving the heritage and culture of the area for future generations to appreciate.

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

  • 1857: Montague County is established by the Texas legislature
  • 1860: The first county courthouse is built in the town of Montague
  • 1861-1865: Montague County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the Civil War
  • 1874: The town of Saint Jo is founded
  • 1882: The Fort Worth and Denver City Railway extends into Montague County, promoting economic growth
  • 1884: The town of Nocona is established
  • 1900: The Montague County courthouse burns down and is subsequently rebuilt
  • 1930s: The Great Depression and Dust Bowl impact the county, causing economic hardship
  • 1957: The Montague County Courthouse is again destroyed by fire but is reconstructed
  • 2000: The county experiences population growth and ongoing development
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