Historic Courthouse

Randall County Courthouse

Canyon, Texas

Built in 1909 in Classical Revival architectual style by architect R.G. Kirsch Co. by contractor Gillcoat-Skinner Co..

Robert G. Kirsch designed the Randall County Courthouse in 1909. The Classical Revival style building is constructed of brick and highlighted with terra cotta and cast stone trim elements. The structure is essentially rectangular in form, with the north and south elevations forming the long sides of the rectangle and the east and west elevations forming the short sides. The first two floors of the building were initially constructed in a cross-axial configuration that has since been compromised by partition walls added to create more office space. The original configuration also incorporated two two-story courtrooms, with decorative plaster cornices and ceilings, that occupied the third and fourth floors. The original windows on the first three floors have been replaced. The replacements are double-hung with wooden frames. On the fourth floor, the original windows have been covered on the exterior with stucco panels. Each of the four exterior facades features a projecting central entrance bay, which is clearly defined by brick pilasters with stone bases and capitals. Heavy classical cornices, supported at each end by equally substantial console brackets, hover above the entry doors. An elaborate cartouche is centered atop each of these entrance cornices. Each of the elevations is capped by an entablature composed of a series of ornamental courses of brickwork and cut stone caps. Additional construction has obscured the north and south elevations to some extent, but only one modern addition, a bridge on the second floor of the north elevation, is connected to the original structure. The original clock tower has also been removed.

Central clock tower and original wood windows removed. Additions on the north (1969) and south (1956) sides, removal of the northwest portion of the first floor to install a boiler room, removal of a load bearing wall on the third floor.

Current status: Vacant (1999)

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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Randall County is located in the Texas Panhandle and has a rich history dating back to the early 1870s. The county was officially established on July 10, 1876, and was named in honor of Horace Randal, a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa.

The settlement of Randall County began with the arrival of ranchers in the late 1870s, who found the area ideal for cattle grazing due to its vast grasslands and access to water sources such as the Canadian River. In the early years, the county experienced growth through the establishment of ranches and small communities. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought further economic opportunities to the area.

During the early 20th century, the county's population grew steadily, and agriculture became a major industry. Cotton, wheat, and other crops were cultivated throughout the region, with a focus on dryland farming techniques. The county's agricultural success was bolstered by the development of irrigation systems and improved transportation infrastructure, such as the arrival of railroads.

In the mid-20th century, Randall County experienced significant growth and development. The city of Amarillo, which is partially located within the county, became a hub for business, commerce, and industry in the region. The county's economy diversified, with the growth of manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries. Today, Randall County continues to thrive as a center of economic activity and a vibrant community with a rich and storied history.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Randall County, Texas.

  • 1876 - Randall County was established by the Texas legislature.
  • 1880 - The county's first courthouse was built in the town of Henrietta.
  • 1889 - Canyon City became the county seat and a new courthouse was constructed.
  • 1899 - West Texas State Normal College (now West Texas A&M University) was established in Canyon.
  • 1910 - The county's population reached over 8,000 residents.
  • 1928 - The current Randall County Courthouse was built in downtown Canyon.
  • 1954 - Palo Duro State Park was created, covering a large area in the county.
  • 1984 - The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon became the largest history museum in Texas.
  • 2000 - The population of Randall County surpassed 100,000 residents.
  • 2019 - The county experienced rapid growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas.