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County
- Denton
County Seat - Denton
County Population: 836,210 Est. (2017) 662,614 (2010)
County Courthouse
Constructed - 1896
Architect - W. C. Dodson
Designation National Register Listing - 1977
Texas Historic Landmark - 1970
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Denton
County History
Denton
County was established by the Texas Legislature
on April 11, 1846. Prior to this time only a few early settlers had
lived in what is now Denton
County. After Texas joined the union, military protection form
marauding Indians caused settlement of this territory to increase.
Land for Denton County
was carved out of Fannin
County. Pioneers named the new county after John B. Denton, a
pioneer preacher and lawyer who was killed in an Indian fight in 1841.
Due to hardships, the county seat was moved several times in the 1850's.
The present day county seat was established and lots sold at auction
in 1857. Primary among the reasons for this final move was the need
to locate the county seat central to settlements in Pilot
Point in the north and Lewisville
in the south. |
City
of Denton, Texas
Denton
is a town rich with history. The town has been a center for education
since the nineteenth century. The Texas Woman's University, and the
University of North Texas both have deep roots in Denton.
With the University of North Texas campus and residential neighborhoods
located near the town's center, there's plenty of pedestrian traffic
on and around the town square. |
The
Denton County Historical Commission
The commission
actively seeks to preserve, protect, and promote the history and heritage
of the community. The commission operates the Courthouse-on-the-Square
Museum. The museum is housed inside the historic county courthouse,
and it's definitely worth stopping in to see. The commission is very
active and has other attractions and events. Use the Denton
county government's web site later in this document to read more
about them. |
Denton
County Courthouse
Plans for a Romanesque
style courthouse were solicited from prominent San
Antonio architect J.
Riely Gordon. For reasons unknown today, Gordon's plans were rejected.
The Denton County Courthouse was designed by architect W.
C. Dodson. |
| Dodson's
design provided for a central corridor capable of supporting the weight
of the masonry tower. The central octagonal tower and the four adjacent
domes make this courthouse quite unique. |
| The Romanesque
interpretation Dodson presented here shares elements of design from
the best courthouses of the region, but it's still quite unique. The
corner porticoes, a Roman arch at each entrance, masonry central tower,
and excellent natural ventilation are all elements present in the
great Romanesque courthouses of J.
Riely Gordon. Facades divided into five bays with projecting pavilions
and elaborate stone carving are evident in some of Dodson's own earlier
designs, most notably Hill
County. Polished pink Burnet granite columns supporting ornate
pediments are reminiscent of the Tarrant
County Courthouse.
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The octagonal
towers have no regional equivalent. The use of sandstone and granite
in contrasting colors is quite unique. The richness of materials used
for the interior is apparent. In so many ways the Denton county Courthouse
is a magnificent and distinct landmark on the historic
Denton town square.
More Information: The Denton County government website - http://dentoncounty.com/
Bibliographic note:
Most of the information presented here was extracted from the Texas
Historical Commission's Sites Atlas. (http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/)
Other information came from the Denton county government web site.
2005
© Sam
Fenstermacher
All rights reserved |
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