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Texas | Architecture | Courthouses

WALLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE

County Seat - Hempstead, Texas

Waller County

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Hempstead TX - Waller County Courthouse
The 1955 Waller County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2005

Waller County has had four courthouses

The first was known as "The Texas House" and was a rented frame building. The county paid $25 per month for the use of the structure. The first jail was a one room log cabin and was located on the square.

In 1877 the first brick courthouse was constructed and a new jail was built at the same time.

In 1892 this courthouse burned and was replaced by another brick building in 1894. This building stood until 1955.

A History of Waller County, published in 1973, stated that the 1894 structure "was torn down for a larger and even more attractive brick three-story building in 1955."

Hempstead TX - Waller County Courthouse

The Waller County Courthouse

A plain building - built in 1955 of limestone and brick

Architect - Herbert Voelcker

TE photos, 2002
Hempstead TX - Waller County Courthouse detail

Hempstead TX - Waller County Courthouse cornerstone
1955 Waller County Courthouse cornerstone
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2005
More Texas Cornerstones

The Third Waller County Courthouse

Hempstead, Texas

Built: 1894
Razed: 1955

1894 waller County Courthouse, Hempstead TX  old photo
The 1894 Waller County Courthouse
1939 Photo Courtesy TxDoT

Tragic Event in the 1894 Waller County Courthouse

"It's a shame that this courthouse is no longer standing. It was the site of an historic, yet tragic event. According to the Handbook of Texas Online, John McPherson Pinckney a Confederate veteran, Waller County Judge and U.S. Congressman, died from a gunshot wound at the old Waller County courthouse on April 24, 1905 while trying to break up a fight. Pinckney, a Prohibitionist, and the members of the Prohibition League were meeting at the courthouse to discuss using the Texas Rangers to enforce a newly enacted prohibition law. His brother, Thomas, and two other men were also shot and killed. The publicity surrounding this event in Hempstead, led to the creation of the town's early nickname, "Six-Shooter Junction." - Terry Jeanson

 Hempstead TX - 1894 waller County Courthouse and jail
Another view of the former courthouse, with Waller County jail
Old Postcard


Hempstead TX - Waller County Courthouse Bell
Courthouse Bell
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2005

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