Completed in 1894, the Grimes County Courthouse features both brick and native stone. F.S. Glover and Company designed the Italianate structure, one of the only 19th century courthouses in its immediate neighborhood. The county capitol, restored and renovated in 2002, incorporates the east wall and foundation of an earlier courthouse that was destroyed by fire. The courthouse was restored again in 2019-20 following damage from a hurricane in 2017.
The courthouse bricks in this present-day county capitol boast three distinct colors, as explained at www.andersontx.gov/:
- the original hand-molded red brick of the surviving 1891 east wall vaults;
- the 1894 pinkish red brick on the south, west, and part of the north walls; and
- a rustic brown-colored brick on a section of the north wall.
In 1901, a contested election resulted in a shootout, leaving five bullet holes on the courthouse exterior that are still viewable today.
The Grimes County Courthouse historical marker paints a picture of the area’s rich history: Unique Victorian Texas public building. Third courthouse here. Site, in an 1824 land grant from Mexico, was donated 1850 by Henry Fanthorp, first permanent settler in county. Built in 1891 of hand-molded brick with native stone trim. Vault is same one used in previous buildings; has twice withstood fires. Tried here in 1930s, a Clyde Barrow gang member vowed he’d see court in infernal regions. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.
Grimes County was founded in 1846 and named after Jesse Grimes, a Texas Revolution veteran and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
If you want to know about 19th century life at a Texas stagecoach stop, then Anderson, the county seat of Grimes County, is the perfect place to visit. Researchers spent 10 years studying and restoring Anderson’s Fanthorp Inn, built in 1834 by Henry Fanthorp as both a family home and a travelers’ stop.
The inn had a number of distinguished guests including Sam Houston. Kenneth Anderson, vice president of the Republic of Texas, actually died in the inn, and the county seat was christened Anderson in his honor.
Purchased by Texas Parks and Wildlife in 1977, the Inn was restored to its 1850s glory and is host to the special Stagecoach Days event. The Inn is currently closed for renovation and is scheduled to reopen in June 2024.
The county is home to a variety of historically rich events, including Navasota Nostalgia Days in the spring and the Texas Renaissance Festival held each fall. Other festivities include the Texas Trek, Richards Founders Day, the Grimes County Fair, Iola Hey Day, and Texian Days.
Visitors and homefolks frequent Navasota Blues Alley, a popular music venue located in a historic district that dates back to the early 1900s. The venue, known for its live performances, is an outdoor space decorated with colorful murals and vintage signs and features local and national blues musicians. HH
Grimes County Courthouse: Commissioners Court
COUNTY JUDGE: Joe Fauth
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Precinct 1: Chad Mallett
Precinct 2: David Tullos
Precinct 3: Barbara Walker
Precinct 4: Phillip Cox
