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Limestone County
courthouse
Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
The Present
Limestone County Courthouse - Groesbeck,
Texas
Date - 1924
Architect - R.H. Stuckey of Midwest Engineering Company
Style - Classical Revival
Texas Historic Landmark
The formidable 1924 Limestone County Courthouse was built of brick,
concrete, marble and tile (you were expecting limestone?) The impressive
courthouse is unusual in that there are practically no buildings facing
it. Groesbeck has no "Courthouse Square" per se.
Originally the settlement of Springfield
(five miles north of town on Hwy 14) was the county seat. It had to
be - for years it was the only town in the county. It died shortly
after the Houston and Texas Central railroad came through and bypassed
the town in favor of Groesbeck.
Today a cemetery alongside the road to Fort
Parker State Park is all that remains of Springfield.
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The
1924 Limestone County Courthouse
TE Photo, 2001 |
The courthouse
historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Historical Marker
Text
Limestone County
Courthouse
Limestone
County was established in 1846. Springfield
served as the first county seat, but geographic boundary changes and
the burning of the Springfield Courthouse led to the designation of
Groesbeck as the county seat in
December 1873. Three more official courthouses served the county before
the early 1920s.
The county employed the midwest engineering company of Amarillo
to draw up plans for a new structure in 1923. The William Rice Construction
Company, also of Amarillo,
received a contract for $300,000 to erect this structure. Rice had
been the contractor for both the Lipscomb
and Lynn
County courthouses.
A fine example of a classical revival building with beaux arts influences,
the 1924 Limestone County Courthouse is a variation on the most common
themes of early 20th century courthouses. Then-modern construction
methods, such as reinforced concrete structural systems covered in
brick and terra cotta, were employed. The elevations -- classical
columns flanking the windows, upper floors adorned with balustrades
and elaborate cornucopia moldings -- indicate that the edifice is
intended to be viewed from all sides.
The Limestone County Courthouse functions as the heart of Limestone
County and it continues to be used for daily county governmental
business.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998 |
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The courthouse
as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Detail of the
north side entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Cornucopia molding
decorates each corner of the courthouse roof.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Courthouse bell
at the north side entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Photographer's
Note:
Courthouse Bell
"This bell at the north side entrance was manufactured by the
Buckeye Bell Foundry in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1908 and placed in the
clock tower of the old 1878 Limestone County courthouse. When the
current courthouse was built, it was given to the Blake Smith family
who donated it back to the county in 2002." - Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
One of the decorative
molded capitals on top of the pilasters inside the courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Detail on one
of the folding chairs in the courtroom gallery.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, 2009 |
One of the two
district courtrooms which occupy the east and west wings of the courthouse
on the upper floors. This is the courtroom in the east wing.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Balcony in the
east wing courtroom. The upper balconies in both courtrooms are still
intact.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
The 1892 Limestone
County Courthouse
1914 Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Cornerstone of
the 1891-92 Limestone County courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
Photographer's
Note:
Courthouse Cornerstone
"The cornerstone of the 1891-92 Limestone County courthouse sits
by the west side entrance. The plaque on top says "Original Cornerstone
Of The Limestone County Courthouse Built In 1891." The architect's
name listed on the cornerstone is Albert Ullrich." - Terry
Jeanson, February, 2009 |
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