|
The front of
the 1913 Roberts County courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 12, 2008 |
Roberts County
Courthouse
- Miami, Texas
Date - 1913
Architect - Elmer George Withers
Style - Classical revival
Miami was declared county seat in 1889. The election was nullified
in December of that year, and Parnell became county seat until 1898,
when Miami regained the position. |
Roberts County
courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
Historical
Marker:
Roberts County
Courthouse
Prominently sited
atop a grassy slope overlooking the town of Miami,
the Roberts County Courthouse was built in 1913, during a time of
regional economic development spurred by the oil and ranching industries.
One of six Texas courthouses designed by architect Elmer George Withers
of Stamford, the Roberts County
Courthouse features Beaux Arts styling with simple Classical features.
As the center of social and governmental activity for this rural county,
the building has played an important role in the county's history.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000 |
Photographer's
Note:
The Roberts County courthouse also serves as a library which is located
on the bottom floor.
In 2008, Roberts
County received approval for a grant from the Texas Historical
Commission which will be used to restore the interior of the courthouse
to its original condition. Some of the other anticipated improvements
will include a new parking lot, new heating and air conditioning and
re-landscaping, including the removal of the vegetation around the
building.
One of the other Texas county courthouses designed by Withers
is the twin
to this courthouse in Marion County, built in 1912. The main differences
include a side portico on the Marion
County courthouse and the spacious, hilltop vantage point of the
Roberts County courthouse versus the crowded downtown location of
the Marion County courthouse in the county seat of Jefferson.
After five years of traveling around Texas, this was my last courthouse
to photograph (March 12, 2008), having visited all 254
counties in the state to photograph
the county courthouses. - Terry
Jeanson |
 |
"This is
me holding a sign that I hastily made before leaving home that says
"254," marking the 254th (and last) Texas county I visited to photograph
county courthouses. This picture was taken by Roberts County District
and County Clerk, Toni Rankin. Toni wanted to call the local newspaper
so I could be interviewed about finishing my courthouse journey, but
I decided on just a photo instead."
- Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
"Before
leaving, I got the autographs of all of the Roberts
County employees working in the courthouse at the time of my visit
to mark the end of my courthouse journey."
- Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
The 1913 Roberts
County courthouse back view
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
Northwest side
of Roberts County courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
Southwest side
of Roberts County courthouse.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
Roberts County
courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
The 1913 brick
courthouse replace the 1889 wooden courthouse shown below.
Photo courtesy THC |
The 1889 Roberts
County Courthouse
|
Roberts County's
first courthouse
Photo courtesy THC |
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