Few things make for a perfect photo as a historic courthouse. The Texas Hill Country has several, thanks to efforts to preserve these stunning structures. Various architectural styles contributed to the designs of these courthouses, but you don’t need to know the difference between Art Deco and Beaux-Arts to appreciate the beauty of these historic buildings
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Create a Perfect Picture at a Historic Texas Hill Country Courthouse
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Kendell County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The historic courthouse in Kendell County’s seat of Boerne features local limestone blocks in its construction. The first story dates back to 1870, and the county added a second story 16 years later. Architect Alfred Giles built the façade with the year 1909 as a later addition. This courthouse no longer holds trials since the county replaced it in 1998 with a new building.
Old Blanco County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Blanco County has lovingly preserved its historic courthouse in, which today provides the backdrop for weddings and events. Though the seat of Blanco County now is in Johnson City, until 1890, Blanco filled that role. The county had finished the historic courthouse just four years before the change of county seat. By the 1980s, preservation efforts kicked into gear, and the courthouse underwent a 12-year restoration project, the fruits of which can be seen today. If you find yourself in Blanco, don’t miss this historic site. It’s free to tour the building Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Bandera County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The current county courthouse in Bandera, Texas, was built in 1891 to replace the smaller Old Courthouse. Today’s courthouse features a stunning clocktower and a towering roof reminiscent of European architecture. Don’t miss a trip to the Bandera County Courthouse when in Bandera. Across the street, you can also check out the old one-story jailhouse, which dates from 1881.
Hays County Historic Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Hays County Historical Commission proudly boasts of the historic courthouse in San Marcos. Recent efforts to restore the courthouse have brought it back to the splendor it had upon completion in 1909. Be sure to check out the Hays Historical Museum inside the courthouse.
Schleicher County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Like a certain brand of car’s old slogan, the Schleicher County Courthouse in Eldorado is boxy but good. Unlike other courthouses that have imposing turrets or superfluous decorations, the Schleicher County Courthouse features a simple, Classical Revival design. Eldorado has had two county courthouses on the same site. The current building, constructed in 1924, replaced the original building that was lost to a 1917 fire. The state of Texas named this historic courthouse to its listing of Texas Historic Landmarks in 1964.
1882 Gillespie County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The 1882 Gillespie County Courthouse is one to not miss. Don’t confuse this courthouse with the current one, built in 1939 and features a moderne style. The older courthouse currently serves as the Fredericksburg Pioneer Memorial Library, which only means that the city has sought to preserve this building. Many claim it to be a quality example of Renaissance Revival architecture.
Comal County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Located in New Braunfels, the Comal County Courthouse might easily be confused for a cathedral, thanks to its Romanesque Revival architecture. Local limestone used for the exterior makes this building an impressively brilliant white color. Though the county made many renovations to the building to bring it into the 21st century, the heart of the structure remains the same. When visiting New Braunfels, don’t miss getting a picture of this stunning courthouse.
Llano County Courthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Llano County wows with a courthouse featuring granite, limestone, and marble. Since 1893, the county has used the Llano County Courthouse has been the location of the county’s proceedings. As lavish as the building looks, the county paid the construction firm $47,000 to complete it, in 1893 dollars. Adjusted for inflation, that amount is equivalent to $1.2 million today.
