Some 21 years ago, County Progress Magazine launched a series dedicated to the restoration and renovation of our county courthouses. 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)
- October 2024: Mason and Newton counties
*Date indicates year covered in County Progress.
As your courthouse project nears completion, please contact us at janderson@zacpubs.com so we may feature your county is this special section.
Beauty From Ashes
On Feb. 4, 2021, in the dark of night, Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden stood within 25 feet of the windows of his office where he had worked for the previous 18 years and watched his historical desk and office in the county’s beloved 1910 iconic courthouse go up in flames.
By 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 5, smoldering outer rock wall and sandstone columns were all that was left of what Bearden described as the county’s “pride and joy.” Firefighters from multiple departments had responded to the blaze about 10 p.m. the night before, but they were unable to save the structure.
No one was injured in the blaze, and all county records had been relocated several months prior as the building was being prepped for restoration. Originally designed in a Beaux-Arts style, the courthouse featured a central dome and clock, which were destroyed along with antique furniture including the original desks, courtroom, and judge’s benches.
“To have your courthouse burn down right in front of your eyes is not something that we as elected officials ever expect to see,” Bearden shared in a note to fellow officials thanking them for their texts, calls, and prayers following the county’s heartbreaking loss. “I feel like I have lost a member of my family, and the people in my county are truly in a state of shock to see their beautiful, 111-year-old courthouse go up in flames.”
As Bearden shared news of the tragedy and responded to questions from the media, he spoke of the strength of Mason County.
“We will rebuild,” Bearden declared. “We will rise from the ashes.”
History Resurrected
Over three years later, Bearden, now retired, joined some 750 former and current officials, dignitaries, members of the community, and guests to celebrate the rededication of the Mason County Courthouse.
Current County Judge Sheree Hardin invited Bearden to cut the ceremonial ribbon in recognition of his dedication to the courthouse rebuild/restoration.
“July 13, 2024, will go down in Mason County history as a joyful day, one of unity and celebration,” Hardin declared.
Rob Hofmann, 452nd Judicial District Judge, served as master of ceremonies, which included a keynote address by State. Rep. Andrew Murr and a recitation of the history of Mason County Courthouses provided by Mason historian Scott Zesch.
From planning to execution, this new building, a merging of the past and present, is a product of collective talents and abilities and “represents brilliance,” Hardin articulated.
“My favorite feature isn’t one particular item, but rather the capability of making the ‘new’ feel ‘old’ and historic,” Hardin shared.
While the majority of the original courthouse was unsalvageable, the new county capitol includes two original elements.
The spiral staircase that connects all three levels received minor damage in the fire, Hardin explained. The location of the staircase is just inside the south courthouse door. The historic jail is located on the south side of the courthouse, and the staircase provided a convenient and safe way to take inmates from the jail to the courtroom back in the day.
The hallway floors are also original, Hardin noted. The 1-inch white tiles are 1909-original as indicated by the scrapes and stains. Pre-fire, these tiles were covered by layers of other flooring that protected them from heat and debris. The markings are evident on both stories but are very distinct on the second floor leading into the district courtroom.
Some 650 “Masonites” and friends from near and far toured the courthouse following the ceremony, Hardin shared, making for an incredible day “that will always be symbolic of hope, resiliency, and victory!”
Mason County Courthouse
- February 4, 2021: 111-year-old Beaux Arts Courthouse destroyed by fire.
- February 28, 2024: Nicholas Miller is sentenced to 75 years in prison approximately one month after he was found guilty by a jury on two charges of arson of a habitation, one for the burning of the Mason County Courthouse.
- July 13, 2024: Mason County celebrates completion of newly built historic courthouse.
- Cost to Rebuild and Furnish: $20 million
- Funding Sources:
- $4 million awarded pre-fire by the Texas Historical Commission for restoration project;
- $6 million in additional state funding allocated post-fire;
- $7 million from insurance; and
- $5 million in private donations.
- Leftover funds: interest to be used for courthouse maintenance.
- Companies involved in rebuild/restoration: Architexas, CPM Texas, Stoddard General Contractors, Gerloff Company Inc., Patriot Erectors, Heather + Little Ltd., Hull Millwork, Van Enter Studio, and Curtis Hunt Restorations Inc.
Newton County Courthouse – Celebrating Beauty
“The restoration work on our beautiful courthouse is finally complete,” Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran shared on social media in April of this year, along with an invitation to stop by and enjoy the welcome facelift.
Newton County used a grant from the Texas Historical Commission to help pay for the $1.66 million project, summarized as follows:
- The flooring on the second and third floors was refinished.
- All of the wood windows were removed, repaired, repainted, and resealed.
- The interior of the courthouse was painted, and the downlights in the courtroom were changed.
- The roofing and bell tower were repaired.
- The electrical conduit in the walls was replaced due to rusted metal and bare, exposed wiring.
- A French drain was installed around the courthouse to drain the water away from the exterior walls.
- The Courthouse Square Gazebo was repaired and repainted.
- New ground-level flood lights were added to illuminate the courthouse.
The county contracted with The LaBiche Architectural Group Inc. and N&T Construction to complete the project.
Historical Perspective
The recently restored courthouse was built just over 24 years ago after the previous courthouse went up in flames.
Twelve years after the August 2000 fire, the county moved into a new $6 million home; the exterior was restored to its 1936 period of significance, and the interior was restored to its 1925 appearance utilizing salvaged long leaf pine for flooring, wainscot, and stairways.
Architects describe the temple of justice as a three-story, Second Empire-style edifice with an unusual truncated clock tower, mansard roof, and corner quoins with features of its Second Empire style reflecting French Napoleon influence.
Restoring unique items such as pressed tin ceilings and gold door knobs with historically correct replicas presented various problems, as explained by a member of the Newton County Historical Commission. For many items, there were only pictures of scorched pieces for reference. Manufacturers produced and then installed mockups on-site for approval by the architect and the Texas Historical Commission, which awarded a grant for the new courthouse.
In 2009, the bell/clock tower was hoisted in place by a huge crane. The tower was manufactured as a complete aluminum unit and trucked in from Utah, replacing the clock and bell that had crashed to the ground inside the courthouse when it burned. The old cracked bell and clock face are now on display at the old well site on the north side of the Courthouse Square.
Celebrating Progress: Waller County Courthouse Takes Shape
With the one-year countdown to expected completion underway, Waller County paused to applaud a courthouse construction milestone in August.
“We were excited to recently celebrate the topping out of the courthouse when all of the metal work was completed for the occupied floors!” shared Waller County Judge Trey Duhon.
“As the building starts to take shape, members of the community have expressed how excited they are about the new courthouse,” Duhon continued. “With an expected delivery date in the third quarter of 2025, I am very happy to report that everything is proceeding according to plan!”
The last day of Commissioners Court in the “old courthouse,” which had fallen into disrepair, took place on Nov. 1, 2023. Waller County purchased the former Julio’s Mexican Restaurant from the Joe Kuciemba Estate, now referred to as the Waller County Joe Kuciemba Annex, to house officials and employees during the construction process.
The design of the new $43 million county capitol incorporates historical elements from the county’s former 1894 Victorian-style courthouse including elongated windows and a pitched roof. The signature bell tower and its bell, which dates back to the late 1800s, and the Military Veterans Memorial will remain untouched.
The four-story courthouse will be home to the Commissioners Court along with the offices of the tax assessor-collector, county clerk, auditor, and treasurer, and will include space for future county departments.
The county is in a design/build contract with SEDALCO Construction Services and Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects.
Danny R. Rothe, director of facilities for Waller County, provided the following progress report:
- Some 95 percent of the steel has been erected. The top of the building is around 170 feet and will top out at 204 feet once the cupola is installed.
- Concrete has been poured on several floors.
- Cementous fire proofing is about 50 percent complete.
- Duct work is underway on multiple floors, and metal stud walls are well underway on the first floor.
- Stone has started on the plinth retaining walls; stone may take up to a year to complete.
While weather has impacted the project, the county is anticipating a move-in date in the third quarter of 2025. On a related note, Phase 2 of the project, the demolition of the tax building and addition of a parking lot, should be complete by January 2026.
“Budget-wise, we are in good shape,” Rothe reported. “We believe we have cleared or overcome any major known budget challenges.”
