| |
The
Present Young County Courthouse
-
Graham,
TexasDate -
1932
Architect - Withers & Thompson
Style - Moderne
Material -
Limestone and concrete
Location - On Hwy 16
History:
A frame
two-story courthouse was built in 1876 and was replaced by a three-story limestone
courthouse eight years later. The current courthouse replaced the 1884 courthouse
that was demolished in 1932.
See Historical
Marker
Photographer's Note:
"The 1932 Young County courthouse
- The architects, Withers & Thompson, also designed the Menard
County courthouse in Menard.
The construction materials are different in both courthouses, but the internal
and external design is very similar.
There are many interesting details
on the interior of this building, including intricate designs that have been painted
on the ceiling." - Terry
Jeanson, August 13, 2008
Where to Stay
> Graham
Hotels |
| The
1932 Young County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
A
courthouse detail that may depict the arrival of the Graham Brothers
TE Photo
2-04 |
A
magnificent courthouse eagle. TE Photo 2-04
See Texas
Eagles |
Stonecut
cattleman oversees herd with oilwells in distance. Another courthouse detail
TE Photo 2004 |
Stonecut
detail over the rear side entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April, 2006 |
Courthouse
front entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April, 2006 |
| "The
district courtroom. The three woman depicted above the judge's bench represent
courage, justice and truth." - Terry
Jeanson, Apri, 2006 photo |
The
beautifully detailed ceiling in the district courtroom.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April 2006 |
Young
County courthouse cornerstone
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
The 1884 Young County Courthouse |
|
The east sandstone arch of the 1884 courthouse was saved and is on display. TE
photo, 2004 |
Historical
Marker TextSite
of Third County CourthouseYoung
County was organized in 1856 with Belknap designated as county seat. After retreat
of frontier troops during Civil War, county records were moved to Jacksboro 1865
during renewed Indian trouble. County was reorganized 1874 with Graham,
county seat.
Courthouse (of which only archway remains) was built 1884.
Native sandstone for the two-story structure was quarried east of Graham
by Irish workers. N. J. Rosenquist, a native of Sweden and builder of Texas
courthouses, was chief stonemason. Building had two halls in form of Greek
cross--a plan that followed points of the compass. (Archway belonged to east hall.)
Officials at the time of construction were: County Judge, R. F.Arnold; Treasurer,
J. W. Wadley; County Clerk, C. O. Joline; Tax Assessor, J. G. Hill; County Attorney,
J. A. Woolfolk; Sheriff, W. T. Bunger; County Commissioners, W. C. Blakey, J.
J. Hughes, J. . Mercer and H. D. Williams.
Courthouse was razed in 1932
after completion of present structure. A. A. Morrison, fire marshal, led efforts
to preserve historic archway during street improvements in 1936.
During
its existence, this Courthouse witnessed and preserved the records of many historic
events of Young County. |
 |
The
1884 Young County courthouse marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, April, 2006 |
Tom
Cherryhomes memorial marker on the courthouse grounds
"In Memory of Tom
Cherryhomes
who died defending the records of Young County
Feb. 24, 1915"
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2009 | |
|
