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The
newly remodeled Jeff Davis County Courthouse.
Photo courtesy Chuck Salge, Weslaco, Texas, April 29, 2006. |
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The Jeff
Davis County Courthouse
Date - 1910
Architect - L. L. Thurmon & Co., Dallas
Style - Classical Revival, while the clock tower is Beaux-Arts.
Material - Stone and concrete |
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The
1910 Jeff Davis County Courthouse as it appeared in 1939
Photo courtesy TXDoT |
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| 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. |
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The
Jeff Davis County Courthouse Clock Tower
TE Photo, September 2000 |
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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. |
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Turnstiles
on the Courthouse Square
TE Photo, September 2000 |
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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.
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Jeff Davis
County Forum
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, Fort Davis or Jeff Davis County courthouses, please contact
us.
See Fort Davis, Texas
More Texas
Courthouses
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
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Hotels
More
Hotels
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Texas
Courthouses - Recommended Books
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| The
Courthouses of Texas: A Guide |
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| Old
Friends: Great Texas Courthouses |
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| The
Courthouse Square in Texas |
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