The current Bowie County Courthouse is an ultra-modern structure completed in 1985. The courthouse interior boasts woodwork and fixtures hand carved by local craftsmen.
While the Bowie County Courthouse technically is located in New Boston, it still sits within the geographical center of the county on Interstate 30 allowing for easy access from many other areas of the county.
The previous courthouse, known as the Old Bowie County Courthouse, was built in Boston in 1891 and was considered one of the most handsome temples of justice in Northeast Texas. Unfortunately, the building was burned in 1987.
The county, created in 1840 from Red River County, was named for Texas freedom fighter James Bowie, a hero of the Alamo. Boston, the county seat, was christened in honor of W.J. Boston, an early storekeeper in the settlement.
The history behind the county seat can be a bit confusing, but the New Boston Chamber of Commerce Web site does an excellent job of explaining how things unfolded:
The coming of the railroads led to the location of two more Bostons. A depot was built about four miles north of Boston and was named New Boston. The first Boston then became Old Boston. The courthouse was moved to Texarkana in the early 1880s, but a later election carried to move the courthouse back to the geographic center of the county. This location was between the Bostons. The Post Office Department named this location Boston, so Bowie County has claim to three Bostons: New Boston, Boston and Old Boston.
Bowie County sits in the far northeastern corner of the Lone Star State, bordered by the Red River on the north, with Arkansas and Oklahoma across its northern boundary and Arkansas to the east. The county serves as a primary point of entry into Texas because of its location on Interstate 30.
Several sites in and around Texarkana are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Draughn-Moore House, Offenhauser Building, Saenger Theater, Hotel McCartney, Rialto Building, Whitaker House and Roseborough Lake Site.
Seven lakes flow through the county, including Wright Patman Lake at 20,300 acres, offering a variety of water sports and recreation.
Bowie County is known for its close-knit, family environment. The community turns out for the annual Pioneer Days Festival each August and the yearly Courthouse Lighting Ceremony in early December. Carolers open the festivities prior to the arrival of Santa Claus; workers are on hand to take and print out a photo of each child who wants to pose with Santa.
Texas Almanac 2004-2005