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Texas | Architecture | Courthouses

MEDINA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

County Seat - Hondo, Texas

Medina County has had two courthouses:
1892 in Hondo
1854 in Castroville

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Hondo TX Medina County 1892 Courthouse
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.

Hondo Texas - Medina County Courthouse with clock tower , postmarked 1903
Medina County Courthouse with the clock tower, postmarked 1903
Postcard courtesy Dan Whatley Collection


Hondo Texas - Medina County Courthouse with clock tower in  1939 old photo
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

Hondo TX Medina County 1892 Courthouse historical marker
1892 Medina County Courthouse Historical Marker
Highway 16 and FM 462, Courthouse Square, Hondo.

Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007


Hondo TX Medina County 1892 Courthouse cornerstone
Medina County Courthouse cornerstone
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007
More Texas Cornerstones

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

Hondo TX Medina County 1892 Courthouse cornerstone names
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007


Hondo TX Medina County 1892 Courthouse entrance
Courthouse Entrance
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007


Medina County Courthouse, Hondo Texas
1892 Medina County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, August 2002


Medina County courthouse, Hondo, Texas old postcard
An earlier view of Medina County Courthouse
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/



1854 Medina County Courthouse
- Castroville, Texas
The former Medina County Courthouse is now the City Hall of Castroville.

Fiorella Street, Castroville

Castroville TX Medina County 1854 Courthouse
1854 (former) Medina County Courthouse in Castroville
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007


Castroville TX Medina County 1854 Courthouse historical marker
First Medina County courthouse historical marker in Castroville .
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2007

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

First Medina County courthouse, Castroville, Texas
Another view of the former Medina County Courthouse in Castroville
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, May 2004

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