Deaf Smith County
Some 21 years ago, County Progress Magazine launched a series dedicated to the restoration and renovation of our county capitols. Titled “Courthouse Trails,” this special section recaps the efforts of counties across the Lone Star State who have taken special measures to restore their capitols to their original splendor and/or launch comprehensive renovation projects to ensure safety and workability, culminating in the proud rededication of their courthouses.
Our coverage to date includes:
- March 2003*: Ellis, Grimes, Hopkins, Milam and Shelby counties
- August 2003: Erath, Donley, Lampasas, Llano and Shackelford counties
- February 2004: Atascosa, Gray, Goliad, Parker and Red River counties
- September 2004: Hudspeth, Lee, Presidio, Sutton and Val Verde counties
- February 2005: Dimmit, Jeff Davis and Wheeler counties
- September 2005: Archer, Bexar, Denton and Fayette counties
- February 2006: Harrison (exterior), Maverick, Rains and Wharton counties
- August 2006: Bee, Lamar, Lavaca, and Nueces counties
- February 2007: Cameron, Cooke (exterior), De Witt and Menard counties
- August 2007: Bosque, Leon and Williamson counties
- February 2008: Johnson County
- August 2008: Dallas County
- August 2009: Harrison County (interior)
- February 2010: Kendall and McCulloch counties
- September 2010: Kenedy County
- February 2011: Brooks County
- September 2011: Harris, Mills, San Augustine and Trinity counties
- February 2012: Cooke County (interior)
- September 2012: Cass, Hamilton and Roberts counties
- February 2013: Franklin (exterior) and Potter counties
- September 2013: Comal, La Salle, Newton and Terry counties
- September 2014: Colorado, Dickens (emergency repairs), Edwards, Fort Bend and Robertson counties
- February 2015: Franklin (interior), Hardeman and Throckmorton counties
- October 2015: Nolan County
- February 2016: Wilson County
- September 2016: Bexar and Navarro counties
- April 2017: Guadalupe County
- June 2018: Glasscock County
- May 2019: Karnes County
- September 2020: San Saba County
- October 2021: Lipscomb and Marion counties
- February 2022: Falls County
- October 2022: Fannin County
- February 2023: Lynn County
- March 2024: Deaf Smith County (exterior)
*Date indicates year covered in County Progress.
Deaf Smith County: The 1910 Deaf Smith County Courthouse was designed by Chamberlin & Company in an eclectic style with evidence of Classical Revival in the Greek columns on the north and south sides of the structure. The symmetrical plan with flights of steps on the north and south sides ascending to a rotunda were seen as Italian Renaissance inspired by Ancient Roman style.
The exterior walls of the structure are of first quality Georgian marble. Pediments on both the north and south sides have a centered five-point star. Around the building in the frieze area are carvings that are well-defined and in bold relief, simple but artistic in design. The temple of justice, which has a marble surface, cost the county some $125,000 to build.
In 1959, the county built a jail adjacent to the courthouse resulting in the removal of the north entrance.
In 2019, voters approved a $36.2 million bond to fund construction of the Deaf Smith County Law Enforcement Complex, which was completed in 2023 and now houses the Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the new county jail.
“When we passed the bond election, I promised to tear down the old jail and restore the entrance to its 1910 appearance,” shared Deaf Smith County Judge D.J. Wagner.
Burns Architecture, LLC, and Southwest General Contractors were selected to work on the $1.5 million project, which includes demolition of the 1950s jail, restoration of the courthouse entrance, and construction of two new holding cells inside the courthouse.
The north entrance will once again match the south entrance with its grand staircase, with the north lawn being returned to its former beauty, detailed architect Kenny Burns.
The project should be completed in the spring of 2024.