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It is unusual
for the county seat to be smaller than other towns in the county,
but at one time, before the golden age of Mineral Wells, this was
the dominant population center. The city of Palo Pinto during the
oil boom of 1915 reached a peak population of 23,000.
Though not grandiose like the Romanesque courthouses built in the
1890s, this 1940
building has its own understated charm. It is an excellent example
of a pre-War rural courthouse. With its brass doorknobs and eagle-encrusted
light fixtures, if one was to imagine a young lawyer in a seersucker
suit named Huey Piece Long defending an overall-clad client, then
one would be horribly wrong. Huey Long never set foot in Palo
Pinto County and besides he was killed before this courthouse
was built.
Clarence Darrow wasn't here or Gregory Peck or Perry Mason, but
when John Grisham gets around to writing a lawyer story circa 1940
(which should be in six weeks), I'm predicting the movie will be
filmed here.
A local rancher named Jim Sowell is spearheading a movement of restoration
and rejuvenation for Palo Pinto. One of the few buildings that remain
"on the square" is the Auction House (below, middle) which
holds auctions twice a month. One block south is the old
jail (1881) (below, right) which is the cornerstone of the museum
area where contributors and members have several historic structures
and other relics of Palo Pinto's past. Noteworthy are the bell and
a wonderful hitching post (below,left) of stone and iron that is
perfect in its utilitarian design. Jean and Charles Price keep Key
to the museum at 940-659-2805.
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