County Seat: Llano
The Llano County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival-style structure fashioned of tan brick, sandstone, and granite, has withstood the test of both Father Time and the fiery flame. The most serious of three fires occurred in 1952 and destroyed the cupola. The burned section below the cupola was rebuilt and covered with wooden shingles painted silver; however the cupola was not replaced.
Completed in 1893, the courthouse rises above the town square, presenting its granite façade to onlookers from every direction.
According to Bill Morgan, author of “Old Friends: Great Texas Courthouses,” by the 1990s, “the courthouse became the vortex of a tourism storm that introduces new generations to the beauty of the Texas high country.”
Morgan writes that the National Park Service gave “National Historic District designation to the Courthouse District, comprising the courthouse and 60-plus buildings around it that retain their 1880-1920 architectural heritage.”
Llano County’s very first courthouse was erected in 1856 upon the county’s creation from the Bexar District in Gillespie County. After the county was officially organized, the one-story frame structure was replaced by two small-framed government buildings. The building that housed county records was destroyed by fire in 1880.
The third courthouse, a brick building completed for $25,875 in 1885, succumbed to flames in 1892.
The current temple of justice was designed by A.O. Watson of Austin. While historical accounts vary, the courthouse was likely built for about $47,400. The courthouse was restored in 2003.
Llano County, located in the Central Mineral Region of Texas, is known for its granite deposits that have been used in buildings all over the Lone Star State and the United States.
The county also is known for its high density of deer, prompting some to label Llano County as the Deer Hunting Capital of Texas. The area, home to dove, turkey, and quail, also houses several exotic game ranches which attract hunters from across the nation for world-class hunting of a variety of species.
Visitors frequent the county to climb in the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located primarily in Llano County about 22 miles south of Llano. The diversity of surfaces provides challenging face climbs along with numerous crack climbs.
The spring-fed Llano River, Colorado River, Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake LBJ offer anglers white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and spotted bass.
Llano County offers a plethora of other outdoor activities including golf courses, amazing Texas Hill Country hiking and biking trails, boating, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. For more information, visit www.visitllanocounty.com.
Finally, Llano County has garnered national attention with the upcoming April 8, 2024, solar eclipse. As explained at www.llano2024eclipse.com, on this date “all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality … can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights – a TOTAL solar eclipse.” Llano is on the path of totality, and the county expects an influx of visitors in April. To view other Texas cities on the totality map, go to https://nationaleclipse.com/cities_total.html.
Photo Credit: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0
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COUNTY JUDGE
Ron Cunningham
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Precinct 1
Peter Jones
Precinct 2
Linda Raschke
Precinct 3
Mike Sandoval
Precinct 4
Jerry Don Moss