County Seat: Waco * Population: 234,906 (2010 Census)
*“Built in 1901, the McLennan County Courthouse holds pride of place within Waco as not only a functioning center of justice but also the city’s most impressive civic building.”
Famed architect James Riley Gordon designed the McLennan County Courthouse, built in 1901 in a Beaux-Arts style with neoclassical elements. The county capitol features Corinthian pilasters and columns, and cornices adorned with dentils, which are small blocks used as repeating ornaments.
Among the most notable features of the courthouse are three justice-themed statues. A likeness of Themis, the Greek goddess of divine order, is positioned on top of the courthouse dome. Themis holds a double-edged sword in her left hand; the sword represents the law as the chief instrument of justice. In her right hand she holds aloft a pair of scales symbolizing the weighing of facts in balance by the courts. Two statues are located on the upper roof below the dome. Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice, is blindfolded to demonstrate the impartiality of the law. The origin of the remaining female statue is unknown; however, with her torch and shield, she appears to be a classical variation of Lady Liberty.
McLennan County, created in 1850 from portions of Robertson and Milam counties, was named in honor of Neil McLennan, who built the first dwelling in the area. The county seat of Waco references the nearby Waco Indians.
The first Commissioners Court met in a private schoolhouse while the county arranged for a two-story, log court building. By 1856, the county had outgrown its inaugural county capitol. Taxes were levied for a brick building; however, faulty construction led to a third courthouse designed by noted architect W.C. Dodson. Completed in 1877, the structure featured a Mansard roof and a clock tower. Once again, the county outgrew its capitol, and Dodson endorsed the plans presented by Gordon for the county’s fourth and final courthouse.
In September 2002, McLennan County celebrated the courthouse centennial. Those gathered noted the distinctly regional touches incorporated into the courthouse exterior. For example, the building is fashioned of white limestone and granite from Texas quarries. A lone star serves as the centerpiece of the pediment positioned above the front doors. Eagles made of zinc surround the main dome. Interestingly, these eagles are wired with tiny electric lights in their eyes which were originally intended to put off a red glow at nightfall.
The courthouse interior is equally ornate. The Tenth Court of Civil Appeals features columns made of Kenesaw marble, and stained-glass art pieces bejeweled with stars and featuring brilliant blue hues highlight the inside ceiling of the dome. Finally, eight murals depicting the history of Waco by local artist Ruth Smith chronicle Waco’s rich history.
– *A portion of this text came from the following source: Jordan Ortiz-Lovince and Prisca Bird, “McLennan County Courthouse,” Waco History, accessed January 2, 2020, https://wacohistory.org/items/show/14.