|
Falls County
courthouse
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson , December 2005 |
The Present
Falls County Courthouse
Marlin,
Texas
Date - 1939
Architect - Arthur E. Thomas
Style - Modern
Material - Concrete, brick and stone |
Falls County
Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Historical
Marker:
Falls County
Courthouse
The Texas legislature
created Falls County
in 1850. The first courthouse was a log cabin, possibly located on
this site. In 1855 the county seat (then Adams) was renamed Marlin,
and construction was completed on what became the courthouse square.
The second courthouse, built of native white cedar, burned about 1870.
The third courthouse was completed by 1876 but was damaged in an 1886
storm. Houston architect Eugene
Heiner drew the plans for a fourth courthouse, which was completed
in 1888. It deteriorated quickly, and county officials began to seek
funding for a new edifice. Work began on a fifth Falls County courthouse
in 1938.
A county bond issue for $130,000 was matched with a 45% Public Works
Administration grant in 1938. The cornerstone was leveled by the Grand
Lodge of Texas, A. F. & A. M., on July 4, 1939, and the building was
completed by December. Much of the façade is Austin
shellstone; Texas pink granite makes up the entry steps. The courthouse
was designed in the Art Moderne style by architect Arthur E. Thomas
of Dallas, and was constructed
by San Antonio contractors
Hill and Combs. Its symmetrical façade is dominated by a three-story
central entry tower with key pattern stonework across the tower parapet.
Among its unusual features are the massive shellstone entry surrounds
and decorative corner pilasters. Arthur E. Thomas designed various
other notable structures in Texas from the late 1930s to 1970, including
other courthouses and projects for the Marlin Independent School District.
The 1939 Falls County courthouse continues to serve as the center
of county government.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-2000 |
 |
Falls County
Courthouse Historical Marker on the courthouse ground
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2004 |
Another early
view of the Falls County Courthouse
1940s postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
The 1888 Falls
County courthouse bell and cornerstone on the courthouse lawn
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November, 2004 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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