Historic Courthouse

Shelby County Courthouse

Center, Texas

Built in 1885 in Romanesque Revival architectual style by architect John J. E. Gibson by contractor John J. E. Gibson.

J. J. E. Gibson (John Joseph Emmett Gibson), a native if Ireland, designed the Shelby County Courthouse using the castles of his homeland as inspiration. Built from 1883 to 1885, the small, two-story, red brick Victorian courthouse is of the early Romanesque Revival style. The courthouse has a cruciform plan with a main east-west axis and two-story pavilions in the center of the north and south facades. A frame cupola rises from the center of the main gable roof. The courthouse is given its distinctive character by the detailed brickwork on the cornice, stringcourses, window hoods and the twelve diminutive buttresses and turrets (or tourelles) with rounded ends that resemble chimney stacks. The courthouse has an entry in the middle of each faade, but the primary approach is from the north. This front side is divided into three bays delineated by its four prominent tourelles. The two-story entrance pavilions have small gables, a large segmental arch opening with a hood mold and full enframement at the entrance on the first floor, and enclosed space on the second floor. In the flanking bays, decorative buttresses between the windows break up the facade even more. A one-story porch that resembles the main entrance is located on the west sides of the building. The windows of the first story and the entrance pavilions are segmental arches and have flat arch hood molds. The tall and narrow windows of the second story have segmental arched tops recessed within Roman arch openings and Roman arch hood molds. A one-story portico and a pair of third-story windows set in an ogee arch articulate the west facade. The east facade is marked by a central bay window that houses the judge's bench in a semicircular apse.

1974: Interior remodeled.1983: slate roof and copper gutters replaced.- ISTEA Grant - Comprehensive plan to restore the Shelby County Courthouse square: exterior restoration will be performed in the courthouse, 1908 fire station, c. 1912 records building and c. 1923 bandstand. Work will also include adding new sidewalks in historic locations, removing non-historic landscaping, and adding new period lighting, building illumination and utilities for the visitors center. Project is scheduled to be let in Jan. 1998.

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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Shelby County, Texas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The region was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Atakapa, and Hasinai. The first European explorers, including Spanish and French explorers, arrived in the area in the 18th century. However, it wasn't until the early 19th century that permanent settlement began.

In 1835, the Mexican government granted land in the area to Stephen F. Austin's colony, which attracted many settlers to Shelby County. The county was officially established in 1836 and named after Isaac Shelby, who was the first governor of Kentucky. The county's population grew steadily, and by the mid-19th century, it became a major center for agriculture, with cotton being the primary crop.

During the Civil War, Shelby County, like many other parts of Texas, sided with the Confederacy. It sent many men to fight in the Confederate army, and the local economy suffered from the effects of the war. However, the county rebounded after the war, and by the late 19th century, it experienced an economic boom with the discovery of oil and gas reserves.

In the 20th century, Shelby County continued to thrive, with the oil and gas industries playing a significant role in its economy. The county also witnessed significant social and political changes, with the Civil Rights Movement bringing about integration and equal rights for African Americans. Today, Shelby County remains an important agricultural and industrial center, with a mix of rural landscapes and urban developments.

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

  • 1823 - Shelby County is established
  • 1836 - Shelby County plays a role in the Texas Revolution
  • 1845 - Texas is admitted to the United States, including Shelby County
  • 1859 - The Texas State Legislature establishes Center as the county seat of Shelby County
  • 1861-1865 - Shelby County is deeply affected by the American Civil War
  • 1905 - The discovery of oil leads to economic growth in Shelby County
  • 1940s-1950s - Shelby County experiences a decline in population due to rural-to-urban migration
  • 1976 - Shelby County celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary
  • 2000s - Shelby County continues to be home to a diverse and vibrant community