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| "The
front of the 1908 Hardeman County courthouse. The rear of the courthouse does
not have an inset portico like the front." - Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 photo |
The
Present Hardeman County Courthouse
Quanah,
Texas
Date - 1908
Architect - R. H. Stuckey
Style - Beaux-Arts
Material
- Brick
The stately 1908 Courthouse reflects the pride felt by Hardemaners
when they moved the County Seat from Margaret.
Residence for voting was determined by where one had one's laundry done. It was
a clean election.
Hardeman
County Courthouse Historical Marker |
Hardeman
County Courthouse today
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Hardeman
County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Hardeman
County Courthouse dome
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, October 2002 |
Hardeman
County Courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 |
Hardeman County
Courthouse Historical Marker TextHardeman
County Courthouse Hardeman County was created in 1858 and named for early Texas
legislators Bailey and Thomas Jones Hardeman. It was not organized, however, until
1884 when the population had increased enough to have a formal county government.
The community of Margaret (now in Foard County) was selected as first county seat,
but after the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway laid out the townsite of Quanah
along its line, voters elected to move the county seat to Quanah in 1890.
A
1906 bond election secured funds for the construction of a new building to replace
the 1890 county courthouse. The Commissioners Court selected architect R. H. Stuckey
of Chillicothe and Tom Lovell & Sons of Denton to design and construct the building,
respectively. Stuckey used a domed cupola, stone lintels over the windows, and
ionic columns flanking the entryways to execute his Neoclassical design for the
courthouse. Built of glazed tan brick with a raised basement of Indiana limestone,
it was completed in 1908.
Since its construction, the Hardeman County
Courthouse has served as the center of politics and government for county residents.
The square is a focal point for local festivals and community events. An anchor
in Quanah's downtown historic district, the 1908 courthouse continues as a significant
part of the community's architectural heritage. |
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| "Although
there have been modern renovations to the interior, the main floor still retains
its metal-pressed ceiling." - Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 photo |
Hardeman
County Courthouse district courtroom
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 |
| 1936
Hardeman County Centennial Marker located in a park on the western edge of Quanah.
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2009 |
Hardeman County
Marker textCreated
February 1, 1858, recreated August 21, 1876. Organized December 30, 1884. Named
in honor of Bailey Hardeman, 1785-1836, signer of the Texas Congress and Legislature.
County seat, Margarette, 1884-1890; Quanah, since, in honor of Quahah
Parker, a Comanche
Chief. |
Quanah Parker Monument
On the Courthouse Square, dedicated in 1991, this tells the story of Indian captive,
Cynthia
Parker, her recapture and subsequent death, and her son who became the
last great Comanche Chief. One of the most interesting stories in a state
known for interesting stories. | |
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