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| 1958 Hardin County
courthouse - "Another example of a modern style courthouse that
was dead on arrival" - Terry
Jeanson |
The Present
Hardin County Courthouse
- Kountze, Texas
Date - 1958
Architect - Dickson, Dickson & Associates
Style - Modern |
Historical
Marker Text
Courthouses
of Hardin County
Hardin
County was created in 1858. The first
official Hardin County building was probably a two-story
log building that burned about 1886. Early county records were
destroyed in the conflagration.
In 1887, architect Frank Smith of Beaumont
designed a two-story
frame structure built in Kountze
by local contractor W. B. Pedigo. A safe was positioned inside the
structure and the walls were built around it. The building was replaced
in 1905. J. B. Hooks moved the old courthouse across the street
to become the J. B. Hooks Abstract Company.
A new masonry
courthouse was erected in 1905. It was designed by Andrew
P. Bryan and built by M. J. Lewman and Company. Domed in the tradition
of the nation's capitol and the Texas
State Capitol, the edifice was built of native stone from the
Pecos area of West Texas.
Salmon-colored brick was imported from the Hydraulic Press Brick Company
of St. Louis, and the columns and bases were crafted by Bedford Stone
Company. A carbide lighting system was installed in 1918. A three-story
colonial-style sandstone building was erected with four 24-foot two-story
columns front and back and 16 smaller columns supporting the dome.
This building served until 1958.
A modern
facility was planned by Dickson-Dickson and Associates and built
by Lumbeck Construction Company in 1958. The 1905 edifice was
destroyed in 1960. At the end of the 20th century, the 1958 courthouse
was still in service and the 1887 building continued to stand, now
the home of law offices, near the courthouse square.
(2000) |
 |
Hardin County
Courthouse Historical Marker
SH 326 & Redwood St.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
The 1958 Hardin
County Courthouse
1965 photo courtesy of THC |
"A gazebo
on the northeast corner of the courthouse square. (Made from some
of the columns of the 1905 courthouse?)
A replica of the clock tower dome from the 1905
Hardin County courthouse was completed in December of 2008 and
sits on the northwest corner of the courthouse grounds." - Terry
Jeanson |
The Third Hardin
County Courthouse
- Kountze, Texas
"Hardin County's
third courthouse was completed in 1905. Built of brick and
stone in a colonial style, it was designed by architect Andrew P.
Bryan. It served until the current courthouse was constructed and
it was demolished in 1960." - Terry
Jeanson |
Painting of
1905 Hardin County Courthouse in courthouse lobby today
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
The 1905 Hardin
County Courthouse
1911 Postcard courtesy of THC |
Another view
of the 1905 Hardin County Courthouse
Photo
courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
1905
courthouse bell on display in the lobby of the current courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
1905
courthouse cornerstone on display in the lobby of the current courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
The Second
Hardin County Courthouse
- Kountze, Texas
"The 1887
two-story frame courthouse built in Kountze
was designed by Beaumont
architect Frank Smith. It was used until 1905 when it was moved across
the street to become the J.B. Hooks Abstract Company. According to
the historical marker, the building is still supposed to be on the
square in use as a law office. However, could not find the 1887 building
on the square." - Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
Painting of
1887 Hardin County Courthouse in courthouse lobby today
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
The First Hardin
County Courthouse
"The 1858
log courthouse in the first county seat of Hardin
burned in a suspicious fire on August 8, 1886. The following year,
the county seat was moved to Kountze."
- Terry
Jeanson |
Painting of
1858 Hardin County Courthouse in courthouse lobby today
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
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