Randall County Courthouse
TexasBuilt in 1889 in Second Empire architectual style by architect Joseph Tracy Service by contractor Joseph Tracy Service.
On August 13, 1889, the first Commissioner's Court of Randall County ordered advertisements for bids for the construction of a new courthouse. The building was to be of frame construction, about 50 feet wide and 45 feet deep, two stories high, and set on a good stone foundation. The lower story would be divided by a hall with three offices on either side, and the upper was to have a large courtroom and two jury rooms. The cost of the structure was not to exceed 6,000 dollars. The contract was awarded on September 10th to J. T. Service for 8,200 dollars and construction was started immediately. The courthouse constructed in Canyon by Service was not the county's first. A temporary 20 by 30 foot two room shack was constructed across from the square to house records until the new courthouse was completed. After it was vacated by the county, the temporary building became Randall County's first school. The second courthouse appears to have been built according to county specifications. Constructed in the Second Empire style, the building had a Mansard roof with two arched dormer windows per side. The transition between the metal shingled Mansard roof and the flat metal roof behind was marked by decorative wrought-iron cresting. The building's front facade was emphasized by a truncated tower with matching mansard roof and cresting. The tower's front was adorned with fish scale shingles and bulls-eye window with its sides and rear being almost entirely enveloped by the building's roofline. Two brick chimneys per side projected from the roof of the side facades just above the cornice line. The four facades were quite similar with a bracketed Italianate cornice and polychromatic paint scheme. Alternating single and paired pedimented two over two double hung windows penetrated each facade with a matching transomed double entrance door centrally placed at the building's front. Siding was wood clapboard with a 4 to 5 foot wide strip of fish scale shingles marking the transition between the first and second floors. Sometime around 1902 the mansard roof and tower were removed in favor of a hipped roof with a central tower. This change was presumably made to relieve persistent leak problems in the courthouse's flat metal roof. The courthouse served many functions for the citizens of Randall County. In addition to county business, the building housed church functions, general assemblies, lectures and weekend dances.
1908-relocated from courthouse square ; 1909: sold to N. Thompson for $2500, converted into a rooming house. 1964-demolished to make way for parking lot.
Current status: razed 1965
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.
This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it
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.
Randall County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped 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.