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Texas : Architecture : Courthouses - Johnson City

Blanco County Courthouse
County Seat - Johnson City, Texas

Blanco County has had three courthouses:
1916 - Johnson City
1885 - Blanco
1860 - Blanco

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1916 Blanco County Courthouse, Johnson City, Texas today

The 1916 Blanco County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, January, 2007

The Present Blanco County Courthouse - Johnson City

Date - 1916
Architect - Henry T. Phelps
Style - Classical Revival
Material - Stone

The Johnson City Courthouse is the last of three for Blanco County. Two previous courthouses were in Blanco. One, an 1885 F.E. Ruffini design, has recently been restored. The county seat was moved from Blanco to Blanco City in 1890.

Blanco County Courthouse, Johnson City, Texas old photo

Blanco County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT

The 1885 Blanco County Courthouse - Blanco, Texas

Date - 1885
Architect - F. E. Ruffini
Style - Second Empire
Material - Limestone

Blanco’s architectural centerpiece is (and has been) the former Blanco County courthouse. Although it served in that capacity briefly (Johnson City usurped Blanco’s claim around 1890), the sturdy stone structure has since served the town as a hospital, school and even a barbeque joint. It was boarded up and was in disrepair in the mid 1990s. But Preservation-minded locals got together and formed the Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society. The building has since been beautifully restored and is now one of the best extant examples of the art of Architect F.E. Ruffini. This and 37 other buildings in Blanco are in the National Register of Historic Places.

1885 Former Blanco County courthouse, Blanco Texas

The restored 1885 Blanco County courthouse in Blanco.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2007

The 1885 Blanco County courthouse in Blanco Texas, old photo

Early photo of the 1885 former Blanco County courthouse
Photo courtesy Texas State Library and Archives

Another view of the Former Blanco County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006

Former Blanco County courthouse in Blanco, before restoration, 1990s

The courthouse before restoration
Courtesy of the San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

The Bones in the Courthouse Crawlspace by Johnny Stucco
It’s currently a garden-variety mystery. But like they say in the newspaper business: “you never know.” ...more

Courthouse Savior by Terry Jeanson
Persistence and Tenacity Preserves Blanco Landmark
JoNell Haas and The 1885 former Blanco County Courthouse

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Blanco County Forum

Anyone wishing to share history or photos of Blanco County Courthouse or towns, please contact us.

The Courthouses of Texas: A Guide


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Blanco County Courthouse County Seat - Johnson City, Texas

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The Present Blanco County Courthouse - Johnson City

The 1885 Blanco County Courthouse - Blanco, Texas

Blanco County Forum

Blanco County Courthouse
County Seat - Johnson City, Texas

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