| |
The
newly remodeled Jeff Davis County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, 2005 |
The Jeff Davis County Courthouse
-
Fort
Davis, Texas
Date - 1910
Architect - L. L. Thurmon & Co., Dallas
Style - Classical
Revival, while the clock tower is Beaux-Arts.
Material - Stone and concrete
Ft. Davis
had been the county seat of Presidio County, which had included what is
now Jeff Davis and Brewster Counties. But the railroad laid tracks
through Marfa in 1885 and Marfa
became the county seat. The people of Ft. Davis organized their own county, which
was approved by the legislature in March of 1887, making Fort Davis again a county
seat.
The
courthouse lawn features a memorial to Sgt. Manuel Gonzales, "Fort Davis'
One-Man Army" who won a Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart
for his actions at Salerno and Monte Casino during the invasion of Italy.
See
Jeff Davis County Courthouse Historical
Marker |
The
1910 Jeff Davis County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
Jeff Davis County Courthouse today
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, 2005 |
Historical
Marker Text Jeff
Davis County Courthouse Designed
by the architectural firm of l. L. Thurman and Co. of Dallas,
this building was erected in 1910-1911 and replaced the original 1880 adobe
courthouse. This concrete and stone Classical Revival edifice, erected by
the Falls City Construction Company of Louisville, Kentucky, is dominated by a
massive portico supported by Doric columns. Other distinctive design elements
include the alternating horizontal bands of pink rusticated stone made of locally
quarried materials and the Beaux Arts style clock tower, which features a Seth
Thomas timepiece. The courthouse continues as the seat of local government.
Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark-2000 |
Photographer's Note:
"The
first floor hallway in the Jeff Davis County courthouse has display cases with
many interesting artifacts and historical photos." - Terry
Jeanson |
The
upper gallery in the restored, two-story district courtroom.
Photo courtesy
Terry
Jeanson, December 2005 |
Another
view of the Jeff Davis County Courthouse
Photo courtesy Chuck Salge, April
, 2006 |
Turnstiles
on the Courthouse Square
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, 2005 |
| The courthouse has
turnstiles at the entrance to the walks. If someone knows the reason for this,
let us know and we'll share the information with our readers. |
Jeff
Davis County ForumAbout
the Courthouse TurnstilesSubject:
Jeff Davis County Courthouse - Turnstiles
I was there this past weekend and can state that the turnstiles are definately
still there. In fact, I looked up your magazine to figure out what they were for!
- Alissa Andersen, Georgetown, TX, October 3, 2010
Jeff Davis County Courthouse
Here is a recent photo of the newly remodeled Jeff Davis County Courthouse. I
don't recall seeing any turnstiles. - Chuck Salge Weslaco, Texas, May 15, 2006
Turnstiles
on Court House Grounds, Jeff Davis County, Ft. Davis, Texas Around
1993 when I had taken a group to the Big Bend and we stayed at the Prue Ranch,
I asked one of the local citizens about the turnstiles on the Jeff Davis Court
House grounds. She informed me that they were placed there to keep the burros
out. Originally, trade between the US and Mexico was conducted by traders using
the burros as pack animals to carry the trade goods. When the burros were replaced
by wagons, the traders let the burros run loose. The burros made the court house
grounds part of their home. They became such a nuisance that the locals built
the fence and the four turnstiles around the court house to keep them out. - John
Gibbs, March 25, 2006
Subject:
Courthouse turnstiles
Your Question: "The courthouse has turnstiles...."
In 1978 I got myself married up right there in the Courthouse. I had the same
question. I was told the turnstiles were to keep the cow and goats from wandering
onto the lawn and eating the grass, the only real lawn in town. I am really enjoying
your website. - Jim Bibb, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, March 29, 2002
Regarding the turnstyle at the Fort Davis courthouse, your reader,
Jim Bibb, is correct. I have seen turnstyles used on several ranches to keep livestock
out of yards, vegetable gardens, etc. while still allowing humans to pass freely.
- Sincerely, Bick Eubanks, June 24, 2002
Anyone wishing to share history,
stories or photos of Jeff Davis County or Jeff Davis County courthouses, please
contact
us. |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. | |
|
