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Caldwell
County CourthouseCounty
Seat - Lockhart, Texas
Date of completion - 1894
Architect - Henry E. M. Guidon
Architectural Firm: Giles and Guidon
Contractor:
Martin, Byrne & Johnston
Style - Second Empire
Material -
Muldoon blue sandstone, with Pecos red sandstone
trim
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The
Texas Historical Commission description states: "Most attribute its design to
San Antonio architect Alfred
Giles. However, it is more likely that Henri E. M. Guindon [sic] is the architect."
Another
entry on the THC website states: "plans were sold to Caldwell County during [a]
brief period when Guidon did not work with Giles, same plans subsequently sold
to Goliad shortly after Guidon rejoined Giles practice, Giles later ads claimed
both Caldwell and Goliad as his." |
The
Caldwell County Courthouse as it appeared 1905
Courtesy of Texas Historic
Commission |
The
three story building is constructed mainly from "Muldoon
Blue" sandstone quarried in Fayette County. The popular stone was used
in many other courthouses
and churches across Texas.
Until its recent
total restoration the building only went through minor repairs and improvements.
In 1969 the building received air conditioning and had an elevator installed.
In 1977 the district courtroom was converted to office space, with the then-popular
plastic paneling and a dropped ceiling. The following year downspouts were replaced,
windows and doors were repaired and the stonework was repointed.
For
many years the color scheme was "cream and green." The nearby H.E.B.
grocery matched the colors at the request of Lockhart's
City Council. The original colors were brought back during the recent restoration. |
| | Metal
capitals on the couthouse's east entrance. |
Caldwell
County Courthouse and courthouse square
Photo courtesy of Paul Turner |
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