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Texas : Architecture : Courthouses : Lampasas

THE LAMPASAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE
County Seat - Lampasas, Texas

Lampasas has had two courthouses: 1856 and 1883

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Lampasas County Courthouse today, Lampasas Texas

The Lampasas County Courthouse today
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2006

The Lampasas County Courthouse -
Lampasas, Texas

Date - 1883
Architect - W.C. Dodson
Style - Second Empire Courthouse
Material - Limestone

The 1883 Lampasas County Courthouse is the third oldest Texas Courthouse still functioning as one.

In 1984 the clockwork was moved to the first floor for public viewing. Molding was placed on the first floor walls at the high water mark from the 1957 flood.

Courthouse Today
Courthouse Vintage Photos
Courthouse Historical Marker
Courthouse Under Restoration
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The 1883 Lampasas County Courthouse Today

Lampasas County Courthouse, Lampasas Texas

Lampasas County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Lampasas Texas - Lampasas County Courthouse top view, Architecural Details

Lampasas County Courthouse architural details
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Lampasas Texas - Lampasas County Courthouse clock tower, Dodson Architech

Lampasas County Courthouse clock tower
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

1883 Lampasas County Courthouse, Texas, Architect W.C. Dodson

Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Lampasas TX - Lampasas County Courthouse Cornerstone

Lampasas County Courthouse cornerstone
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Cornerstones

Lampasas TX - Lampasas County Courthouse Masonic Cornerstone

Lampasas County Courthouse Masonic Cornerstone
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Lampasas County Courthouse staircase,Texas

Lampasas County Courthouse Staircase
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Texas - Lampasas County Courthouse stairs

Lampasas County Courthouse interior
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Lampasas County Courthouse safe, Lampasas Texas

Courthouse safe
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Lampasas County Courthouse marker, Lampasas Texas

Lampasas County Courthouse Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

Lampasas County Courthouse Historical Marker Text

After the Texas Legislature created Lampasas County in 1856, official business of the county was conducted from a variety of spaces and buildings. Land for the courthouse square was set aside when the town of Lampasas was platted in the 1850s. In 1882, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad extended their tracks to the county seat, bringing significant growth and prosperity to the area.

In 1883, the Commissioners Court, with county judge W. P. Beall presiding, hired Waco architect Wesley Clark Dodson to design the new courthouse. The building contractor (Kane Brothers) and the stone contractors (T. Lovell and Company) executed Dodson's plan, completing the building in 1884. Reflecting influences of the Second Empire and Italianate styles of architecture, the Lampasas County Courthouse features a central clock tower, arched windows and a mansard roof. In 1884, the Commissioners Court authorized the city to place a Seth Thomas clock in the tower.

Since its construction, the courthouse has been a focal point for city and county activities, including local festivals. Floods in 1936 and 1957 damaged the building, requiring repair and reconstruction. Today, the stately Lampasas County Courthouse remains an outstanding example of the golden era of courthouse construction in the state. It continues to serve as an important symbol of the county's growth and development and as an influence on the historic character of the county seat.