Texas County Progress

The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas

Shackelford County Courthouse

by

County Seat: Albany Population: 3,378 (2012 censues)

J. E. Flanders selected a Second Empire style for the Shackelford County Courthouse, completed in 1884 using limestone quarried a few miles southwest of Albany. Distinct qualities include the proportion of window area to wall area, a lack of extraneous ornamentation, and the clock tower.

The Shackelford County temple of justice was the first courthouse restored under the Texas Historical Commission’s Courthouse Preservation Program and was rededicated on June 30, 2001. Of the eight or nine Second Empire courthouses designed by Flanders, Shackelford County’s is the only one remaining.

“The centrally located, two-story district courtroom on the second floor rises from the front to the rear, enabling the judge to see everyone in the
courtroom,” described photographer Terry Jeanson.

June Rayfield Welch explains the county’s origin in “The Texas Courthouse Revisited” as follows: “Shackelford County, established in 1858, was organized in 1874 when 168 men petitioned Jack County commissioners for an election. Fort Griffin was the seat briefly before voters chose a more central location – the Albany site. Many Fort Griffin merchants moved there. The first courthouse – of cedar posts – cost $800. The two-story rock jail was fitted with iron cells.”

Upon its organization, the county was named in honor of Dr. John Shackelford, a survivor of the Goliad massacre. The county seat was named after early inhabitants who came from Albany, Georgia.

According to the Texas Historical Commission County Atlas, County Sheriff H.C. Jacobs donated the land for the inaugural county courthouse, which was built 1875 in the middle of the courthouse square. In 1883, this building was removed from the square by a local restaurant owner and was used as a boarding house for the workers hired to construct the current courthouse.

Along its river and creek banks, the area boasts an array of pecan, elm, cottonwood, and hackberry trees, along with mulberry and willow. Originally open prairie, the land and its water are home to white-tailed deer, opossums, raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, and blue herons.

More than 10,000 people from across the state and country descend on Albany, the county seat, each June to take in the Fort Griffin Fandangle, theatrical history set to music as first written in 1938 by an Albany native. The show is directed, lighted, voiced, and danced by the people of Albany in a prairie theater.

As explained at http://www.fortgriffinfandangle.org/, “For 80 years, we’ve told the Texas frontier story – Indians hunting the prairie, settlers moving west with herds of Longhorn cattle, soldiers protecting civilization.”

Along with the Fandangle, special events include August’s Star Gazing Party at Fort Griffin State Park and December’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tour of Homes. *

Monuments of Justice: Crane County Courthouse

by

CraneCourthouse

County Seat: Crane • County Population: 4,375 (2010 U.S. Census)

County Judge: John Farmer

County Commissioners:

  • Precinct 1: Tom Brown
  • Precinct 2: Dennis Young
  • Precinct 3: Domingo Escobedo
  • Precinct 4: Roy Hodges

The Crane County Courthouse was designed by Groos, Clift & Ball and completed in 1948 for $150,000; the county capitol was remodeled and expanded in 1958 for $370,000.

Crane County was formed from Tom Green County in 1887 and named for William Carey Crane, a Baptist preacher and administrator of Baylor University when it was located in Independence, Texas. The county was actually organized 40 years later in 1927.

In 1920, Crane housed only 37 residents. However, the same oil boom that developed the towns of Wink, McCamey, Iraan and Notrees lured thousands to Crane County including land speculators and oil field workers.

In 1925, Church & Fields Exploration Company obtained a permit to drill. The first well was completed in March 1926. By 1927, there were an estimated 6,000 people in the county, with some 4,500 residing in the county seat.

Crane County remains one of the largest oil-producing counties in the Lone Star State. In fact, according to the latest data published in Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine, as of press time Crane County housed 374 producing wells.

Cattle ranching supports the economy, as well, with more than 503,000 acres of land used for livestock grazing.

Speaking of cattle, in 1965 a historical marker was erected in Crane County to designate the famed Horsehead Crossing. As detailed in the marker text, “One of the most important sites in the old west. Named for skulls pointing toward crossing. Only ford for many miles where animals could enter, drink and leave Pecos River safely. Elsewhere deep banks would trap them. Ford mapped 1849 by Capt. R. B. Marcy, head of army escort for parties on way to California gold rush. Used in 1850’s contractor for first mail route from San Antonio to El Paso…”

Finally, Crane County residents gather throughout the year for a variety of annual events including:

• 4-H Stock Show (Jan.)

• Chamber Banquet (March)

• Arts & Crafts Fair (May)

• AJRA Rodeo (May)

• Relay for Life Cancer Walk (May)

• Crane Heritage Days (Sept.)

• Chili Cookoff (Oct.)

• Shop Crane Night (Dec.)

Monuments of Justice: Jasper County Courthouse

by

JasperCourthouse-06-14

County Seat: Jasper • County Population: 35,710 (2010 US Census)

County Judge: Mark Allen

County Commissioners:

  • Precinct 1: Charles Shofner
  • Precinct 2: Roy Parker
  • Precinct 3: Willie Stark
  • Precinct 4: Vance Moss 

The Jasper County Courthouse was completed in 1889 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The courthouse was designed by Eugene T. Heiner in an Italianate style with a clock tower, which was removed in 1957. The temple of justice was expanded and stuccoed in 1934, giving it a Neoclassical look. The county completed another courthouse addition in 1960.

The initial Jasper County Courthouse was actually a crude log hut that included two rooms. Historians are not sure who built the structure or when it was completed, as it was destroyed by a fire in October 1849. The second county capitol was erected in 1853, followed by the third and final courthouse that stands today.

One of the original 23 Texas counties, Jasper has a deep history of early pioneers forging independence in a new land. In fact, the county was named for Sgt. William Jasper, a member of Francis Marion’s regiment during the U.S. Revolution.

The area is graced with beautiful historic structures, such as the Swann Hotel built in 1901. The restored building now serves as a bed and breakfast. The Belle-Jim Bed and Breakfast and Restaurant was completed in 1910 and has been refurbished to its original condition, as well. Debney House on Main Street was built in 1853 by R. C. McFarland and is the oldest residence in the city of Jasper. The Jasper County Historical Commission is housed in one of the county’s old jail buildings.

The communities of Evadale, Buna and Kirbyville feature large, lush green pastures with cattle grazing bordered by the great pine forests that cover most of Jasper County. Hiking and biking trails wind through the woods, several of which lead down to the Neches and Angelina rivers that flow through Jasper County.

Lake B.A. Steinhagen lies to the west of Jasper County along U.S. 190; a trip further north along U.S. 96 leads to Lake Sam Rayburn, the largest lake in Texas that does not border another state. Due to the pleasant climate, Lake Sam Rayburn offers the opportunity for fishing recreation and tournaments literally year-round, accompanied by plentiful boat launches, camping areas, hiking trails, restaurants and hotels.

Archer County Courthouse

by

County Seat: Archer City • County Population: 9,105 (2010 U.S. Census)

County Judge: Gary W. Beesinger

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

  • Precinct 1 Richard Shelley
  • Precinct 2 Darin Wolf
  • Precinct 3 Pat Martin, III
  • Precinct 4 Daryl Lightfoot

The 1892 Archer County Courthouse was designed by Fort Worth architect Alonzo Dawson. In 1925, the courthouse was dramatically remodeled by another prominent Fort Worth architect, Elmer G. Withers. The original tower was removed, and a third floor of offices was added. Due to the substantial changes and the importance of Withers, the restoration returned the courthouse to its 1925 appearance and configuration; for example, wood windows were installed to match the 1925 design. In addition, the contemporary lowered ceiling of the courtroom was removed, and the district court balcony was restored. Wood floors throughout the building were uncovered from beneath layers of vinyl tile. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were replaced, and the courthouse was made accessible to those with disabilities. The courthouse was rededicated May 12, 2005.

Known for its link to famous Texas novelist Larry McMurtry, Archer County was organized in 1880 and named for Branch Tanner Archer, a Texas revolutionary and congressman. McMurtry grew up on a ranch just outside of Archer City, the county seat, graduating from Archer City High School in 1954. He later used the town as a setting for two of his movies. In fact, the Royal Theater, featured in “The Last Picture Show,” remains across the street from the courthouse. In 1970, McMurtry bought a rare-book store in Washington, D.C.’s, Georgetown neighborhood and named it Booked Up. A second Booked Up was opened in Archer City in 1988.

The county’s history is detailed in the Archer County Historical Museum, located in Archer City’s old stone jailhouse. The museum houses more than 5,000 items including a collection of Permian fossils, blacksmith tools, western paintings, Indian artifacts, and early photographs and newspapers.

Archer County is home to several cities, including Windthorst, well known as a dairy community. The area includes about 80 dairies in and around Windthorst within 10 miles of the center of the city. Ranching and oil are two other major industries in in the area. And, perhaps a little-known fact, Archer County is known as the “Short Grass Ranching Capital” of the nation because the area’s short grass has tremendous strength and nutritious qualities.

Finally, area lakes afford countywide recreation thanks to Lake Arrowhead, Lake Kickapoo and Lake Wichita, and hunting grounds offer dove, quail, deer, feral hog and coyote.

Ector County Courthouse

by

MonumentsOfJustice_03-14County Seat: Odessa • County Population: 137, 130 (2010 U.S. Census)

County Judge: Susan M. Redford

Count Commissioners:

  • Precinct 1: Freddie Gardner
  • Precinct 2: Greg Simmons
  • Precinct 3: Dale Childers
  • Precinct 4: Armando Rodriguez

The Ector County Courthouse was built in 1964 and constructed around its 1938 predecessor. The earlier temple of justice fashioned of stone was designed by Elmer Withers, while the standing concrete and steel capitol was a product of Peters and Fields.

Ector County was created in 1887 and named for Matthew Duncan Ector, a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. The meaning behind Odessa, the county seat, is likely tied to Odessa, Russia; early settlers likened Ector County’s flat terrain to the “steppe breadbasket,” or extensive plain area, in Odessa, Russia.

Odessa, Texas, was founded in 1881 as a water stop and cattle-shipping point located on the Texas and Pacific Railway. In 1887, Ector County was carved out of land previously assigned to Tom Green County.

In 1927, oil was discovered on the Connell Ranch southwest of Odessa. The launch of the oil industry became a major draw for new residents, especially with the increased demand for oil during World War II.

Triggered by an oil glut in the early 1980s, the oil industry crashed, and a lengthy depression drove most of the major industry players out of the Permian Basin. The industry later picked up, continued to experience valleys and peaks, and as of now is several years into an explosive boom, largely generated by technological advances. According to the February 2014 issue of Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine, as of press time Ector County tallied 391 producing oil wells. The boom has also lured new companies to the area, with 642 businesses added in 2012 and 385 in 2013, according to the Odessa Chamber of Commerce.

Ector County is known for more than its rigs and pump jacks:

The book “Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream”  by author H. G. Bissinger and subsequent movie (“Friday Night Lights”) are based on the 1988 football season of the Permian Panthers, one of the two high school football teams in Odessa.

Odessa is home to:

  • University of  Texas of the Permian Basin and Odessa College;
  • the second largest meteor crater in the nation; and
  • Stonehenge Odessa, comprised of 20 stone blocks similar in size and shape to those of England’s ancient Stonehenge.

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Print Friendly and PDF

County Progress

500 Chestnut St. Suite 2000
Abilene, TX 79602
325.673.4822
countyprogress@zacpubs.com