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The
1892 Medina County courthouse in Hondo.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
The Present
Medina County Courthouse
- Hondo, Texas
Date - 1892
Architect - Martin, Byrnes & Johnston
Material - Limestone
Location - Highway 16 and FM 462. North of the railroad tracks
The clock tower was removed in 1941, and new wings were completed
in 1942. |
The courthouse
with the clock tower in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Historical Marker:
Medina County
Courthouse
Medina
County was founded in 1848 with Castroville
as the County Seat. In 1892, as the result of an election, the seat
of county administration was relocated to Hondo City (now Hondo).
The commissioners court immediately ordered a courthouse to be built
at the new county seat.
During the administration of County Judge B. Brocks, a building contract
was let to the construction firm of Martin, Byrne & Johnson. Limestone
with a slightly yellowish cast was secured about six miles north of
town from the ranch of Joe Decker. Completed in 1893, the new courthouse
provided office space for the county judge, tax assessor, treasurer,
county attorney and district clerk, and featured a large district
courtroom on the second floor.
Between 1939 amd 1942, changes to the 1893 courthouse were made, including
the addition of two two-story wings. Stone for the wings was secured
again from limestone deposits on the Recker Ranch.
The classical revival courthouse exhibits some influences of the Italianate
style. Prominent features include the rosticated stone walls, classical
portico over the entry way, a broken triangular pediment, and stone
hold molds with incised eastlake designs.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1984 |
 |
1892
Medina County Courthouse Historical Marker
Highway 16 and FM 462, Courthouse Square, Hondo.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
Photographer's
Note:
The original cornerstone on the northeast corner of the 1892 courthouse
was partially covered up by the 1940s additions (see photo above),
so the names were reprinted and placed on a stone on the east wing
of the building (see photo below). - Terry
Jeanson, December 2007 |
1892
Medina County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2002 |
An earlier view
of Medina County Courthouse
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Historical
Marker Text
First County
Courthouse
Erected 1854; first
permanent courthouse in Castroville,
the first seat (1848-1892) of Medina
County. When built, structure was on old road to San
Antonio.
This building took place of temporary office space which County Court
had used 6 years. It was built by Joseph Burger and has 18-inch-thick
walls of native limestone.
Additions to original building include one-story wings on both sides
and outside staircase to the second floor.
After Hondo became County Seat this building
was used as a school; now houses City Hall.
1968 |
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