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Val Verde County
courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
Val Verde County
Courthouse - Del Rio, Texas
Date - 1887
Style - Second Empire
Architect - Larmour & Watson
Although originally designed by Larmour and Watson,
Atlee
B. Ayres supervised the restoration which occurred in 1915.
Other Ayres designs include courthouses in Brownsville,
Kingsville,
Alice
and Refugio.
The Val Verde County Courthouse has recently undergone a beautiful
restoration.
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Historical
Marker ( 400 block of Pecan, Del Rio):
Val Verde County
Courthouse Square
Organized in 1885
from sections of Crockett,
Kinney, and Pecos
Counties, Val
Verde County was named for a Civil War battle in New Mexico which
involved Texas Confederate Forces. The growing railroad town of Del
Rio was chosen as the seat of Government and Commissioners set
up offices in a commercial building on Perry Street, now South Main.
Soon after formation of the county, the Limestone
Jail was built here on a corner of the public square. During construction
of the courthouse, it provided additional office space. A three-story
annex to the building was completed later. The Limestone Courthouse
was constructed at this site in 1887. Architects were A. O. Watson
and Jacob Larmour of Austin,
designers of Courthouses in Milam
and Comanche
Counties. Built by the contracting firm of Hood and McLeod, it features
classical revival detailing and octagonal corner turrets. As the area
population increased, the buildings were modified to provide for the
expansion of services. A separate facility for the Sheriff's office
and county prisoners was completed in 1956, and the old
jail was remodeled for use by other departments.
(1980) |
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"In 1915,
after a third floor was added, the original clock-tower cupola in
the center of the courthouse was replaced by this silver dome."
- Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
Val Verde County
Courthouse before the 1915 remodeling.
Note the cupolas, turret cones, and statues.
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Val Verde County
Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Another view
of the Val Verde County courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
Val Verde County
courthouse close-up
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
Collage of architectural
details
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
Aerial view of
Del Rio, 1939.
Note courthouse in background.
TE Postcard Archives |
Val Verde County
Courthouse as it appeared in the 1950s.
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
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