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Jim
Wells County Courthouse
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, July 2010 |
The
1912 Jim Wells County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, July 2010 |
Historical
Marker TextJim
Wells County CourthouseGovernor
Oscar B. Colquitt signed legislation creating Jim Wells County on March 11, 1911.
Taken from territory formerly a part of Nueces County, the new county was named
for prominent Brownsville
attorney and business leader James B. Wells, Jr. (1850-1923). The first county
elections were held two months later, and in January 1912 the citizens of the
new county approved a bond election to finance the construction of a courthouse
and jail.
The county commissioners hired San
Antonio architect Atlee
B. Ayers to design the courthouse. The laying of the cornerstone on July 25,
1912, drew a crowd of more than 2,000 people. Celebration activities included
performances by the Alice Concert Band and the Alice Symphony Club, as well as
a barbecue, rodeo events, and baseball game.
The discovery of oil in Jim
Wells County in 1938 led to increased economic development and a population boom.
The courthouse was remodeled in 1948-1949, and annexes later were built nearby.
Although its original appearance has been altered, the Jim Wells County
Courthouse stands as a significant structure in the county's history. It continues
to serve as the center of county government.
(1992) |
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Jim
Wells County Courthouse historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November, 2004 |
Jim Wells County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, July 2010 |
The
top of the Jim Wells County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, July 2010 |
Jim
Wells County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT
|
Early
view of the Jim Wells County Courthouse
Photo circa 1930s or 40s, courtesy
texasoldphotos.com |
Jim
Wells County Courthouse cornerstone
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, July 2010 | |
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