Webb County Courthouse

Built in 1909 in Beaux-Arts architectual style by architect Alfred Giles.

When the second Webb County Courthouse burned, the county opened a statewide competition for the plans for a new one. Alfred Giles won the competition on February 27, 1907. The building was completed in 1909, cost $46,918 (NR, p.5-6) and is still used today. It is rectilinear, with its length running from east to west. The courthouse exterior features colorful, native yellow brick embellished by white stone and red tile mansard roofs. The many horizontal bands of brick that dominate the first floor create a rusticated look. Less prominent horizontal banding is seen on the second floor and part of the third floor. Both the north and south have arcaded porches on the first and second levels that are placed between mansard roof pavilions on each corner. Pronounced extrados are found on the circular arches, and prominent white keystones and decorative brickwork are found on the abutments. A white stone balustrade runs between the arched openings along the second-story porch. A parapet, constructed from identical white stone balusters and yellow brick, sits above the second-floor porches. The third story of the building displays both bull's eye and arched windows. Three white stone voussoirs are used to embellish the third-story windows. Most of the windows on the first and second floors are one-over-one lights, or double-hung windows. The east and west facades are similar to the north and south facades. They feature a recessed entrance and second-story porch, but they are not flanked by pronounced pavilions and do not have bull's eye windows or a parapet. The second-story porch windows are arched. A cornice and a brick parapet top the building. The four convex mansard roofs are adorned with bull's eye windows with hoods. Each of these pavilions featured metal ram's heads accenting the corners of each roof's cresting. Colorful tile floors characterized the original interior of the courthouse. Victorian style wainscoting was applied throughout the interior, and an impressive wrought iron trimmed staircase, produced by the Alamo Iron Works, connected the three floors of the courthouse. An ornate oval stained glass window dominates the first floor landing. Doors installed throughout the building were solid wood with beveled glass and brass doorknobs. The first floor, designed for county offices, contained a large, open hallway that was ideal for natural ventilation (NR, p.2). Alterations over the years include carpeting installed over the original tile, bricked-in windows and arcades, plywood replacing the original glass in transoms, air conditioning ducts jutting out from walls and much deterioration. However, the building has recently been restored and is still being used for county offices and commissioners' court.

Infill of arcade, now removed1996: substantial restoration, removal of 1960c. jail annex

Current status: Active Courthouse