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DENTON COUNTY
COURTHOUSEText
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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Hotels |
| Photo
courtesy Sam Fenstermacher |
Denton
County HistoryDenton
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.
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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. |
| | Photo
courtesy Sam Fenstermacher | |
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Denton
County CourthousePlans
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. |
| | | | Photos
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. |
| | | | Photos
courtesy Sam Fenstermacher
|
| 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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| | 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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