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DENTON
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Text and
photos by Sam Fenstermacher |
County - Denton
County Seat - Denton
County Population (2000) 432,976
County Courthouse
Constructed - 1896
Architect - W. C. Dodson
Designation National Register Listing - 1977
Texas Historic Landmark - 1970
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| Photo
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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.
Denton
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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.
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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. |
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Photo
courtesy Sam Fenstermacher |
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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. |
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courtesy Sam Fenstermacher |
| 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. |
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courtesy Sam Fenstermacher
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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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Photo
courtesy Sam Fenstermacher |
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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.
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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.
Copyright
© 2005 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved |
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