Zapata County Courthouse

In early 2002, the Zapata County Commissioners Court voted to begin saving money to fund a new county capitol. The existing county courthouse was reaching 50 years of age, had a multitude of structural problems, and demonstrated negligible historical value.
Due in large part to high gas valuations and investment returns, the county was able to meet its savings goal and pay $12 million in cash for its new temple of justice, said Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas.
The county broke ground on the new Zapata County Courthouse in 2003 and celebrated its completion in March of 2006.
“The courthouse is something that our citizens are very proud of,” said Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra. “The Zapata County Courthouse will provide the services to our citizens as well as to local government for many years to come.”
Special features include:
Cast stone panel accent on the front exterior
Soldier course head brick on window borders and exterior wall
Dome with Spanish clay tile exterior and cast stone ribs
Copper decking
Terrazzo flooring with a border of polished granite stone and a granite base
Technological features include:
Latest Cisco IP phone system with fiber optic wiring providing the ability to conduct video conferences. The justices of the peace in the new courthouse and those in remote offices will also have the ability to magistrate via the new video equipment.
The three-story structure is equipped with two elevators and two emergency exits.
The first floor houses the county judge, county treasurer, county clerk, district clerk and commissioners courtroom.
The second floor includes the justices of the peace, tax office, appraisal district, county judge’s administrative personnel, and a 60-person training/meeting room.
The third floor is home to the 49th District courtroom, 49th District judge’s offices, attorneys’ library, and the county attorney.