County Seat: Stephenville * County Population: 42,545 (2020 Census)
Featuring native white limestone with Pecos Red Sandstone accents, the Erath County Courthouse is known for its unique center tower and two intermediate bays topped with triangular pediments. The north entrance arch is supported by Syrian columns. The courthouse, designed by J. Riely Gordon in a Romanesque Revival style, was erected in 1891; renovations were completed in May 1987 and August 2002.
Carved from Bosque and Coryell counties in 1856, Erath County was named for George Bernard Erath, who moved to Texas in the spring of 1833 to work as a surveyor for Robertson’s Colony.
The county seat of Stephenville was christened in honor of John Miller Stephen, who donated both land for the town and 50 acres of timberland to help energize the economy.
The area’s rich history is chronicled in the Dublin Historical Museum, which houses hundreds of artifacts dating from the 1850s. The Stephenville Museum is comprised of 19th century structures complete with period furniture and artifacts. Wright Historical Park displays a flour mill operational in the mid-1800s and the Turnbow-Barbee log cabin built by early settlers.
Another popular spot is the Dr Pepper Museum, which includes Old Doc’s Soda Shop. The beautifully restored soda fountain offers old-fashioned sodas, malts, and sandwiches and, of course, frosty Dr Peppers. The museum’s historical marker offers additional details:
Sam Houston Prim (1863-1946) arrived in Dublin in 1891 with $680 worth of bottling equipment, purchasing property at the southeast corner of Patrick and Elm streets to house his bottling works. Prim bottled Dr Pepper, along with other products, under an informal agreement until 1925, when he formally chose as a Dr Pepper distribution territory a 44-mile radius centered on Dublin — an area that remains as the company’s territory today. At the time of Prim’s death, Dr Pepper executives noted that he had bottled the soft drink longer than any other individual. The company has remained in operation since that time, making it the oldest Dr Pepper bottler in the world.
While the Bluff Dale Suspension Bridge is no longer in operation, it also offers a snapshot into Erath County history. For at least 20 years, vehicles had to ford the Paluxy River to reach Bluff Dale and points west. Wagon traffic increased after the Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad line reached the town in 1889. This iron bridge, which spanned the Paluxy, was open to the public around 1891. By 1933, arterial highway travel demanded a wider bridge. In 1934, authorities moved the “swinging” bridge 1.5 miles upstream, where it remains today.
Erath County is well known for its western culture. In fact, there are more professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in Erath County than any other county in Texas, according to County Commissioner Joe Brown. The county has hosted many rodeo and cutting horse competitions, including world championships.
Finally, the county is home to Tarleton State University, which boasts an enrollment of more than 17,000 students.