• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Market Place
  • CJCAT
    • From the President
    • From the General Counsel
    • North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
    • South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
    • West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
  • Conferences
    • Conference Galleries
    • Conference Close-Up
  • Texas County Directory
    • 2023 Texas County Directory Updates
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Previous Issues
      • 2020 Previous Issues
      • 2019 Previous Issues
      • 2018 Previous Issues
      • 2017 Previous Issues
      • 2016 Previous Issues
      • 2015 Previous Issues
      • 2014 Previous Issues
Texas County Progress

Texas County Progress

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

  • Home
    • Feature Story
    • CJCAT
  • Legislature
  • Monuments of Justice
    • Courthouse Preservation
    • Courthouse Trails
    • Why Stop In
  • Emergency Response
  • Road & Bridge
  • Jails
    • Indigent Health Care
  • County Focus
    • A Glimpse In The Life
    • Century of Service
    • Courthouse Preservation
    • Key Concept
    • Veterans

Monuments of Justice: Taylor County Courthouse

February 1, 2021 by Sarah L

County Seat: Abilene * County Population: 131,506 (2010 Census)

The 1972 Taylor County Courthouse pictured on the cover was designed by Tittle, Luther, Loving, Lee, architects. The Historic 1915 Taylor County Courthouse, built in a Classical Revival style, stands across the street from the modern structure and will undergo restoration beginning this month.

Officials first conducted business in Buffalo Gap, the only town at the time and therefore the county seat.

“The main industry in 1881 when the Texas and Pacific arrived (and missed the county seat) was selling buffalo bones. Up to 39 freight-car loads monthly were shipped from Abilene the first fall,” wrote author June Rayfield Welch in “The Texas Courthouse Revisited.”

The county seat was moved to Abilene in 1883 by a vote of 905 to 269.

Taylor County was named in honor of brothers Edward and James Taylor, who fought together and perished together at the Alamo in 1836. Abilene, named by railroad officers and cattle producers, refers to Abilene, Kansas.

The county is some 900 square miles filled with diversity in landscape, culture, history, business, and recreation.

The county’s rich history is detailed at The Grace Museum, Frontier Texas, 12th Armored Division Memorial, Merkel Museum, and Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Area galleries showcase local, regional, national, and international artists. Art lovers are treated to unique pieces displayed at the Center for Contemporary Arts, local artists’ works at the Cockerell Gallery, and Western pieces at Cedar Break Gallery. The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature showcases original work from children’s publications.

Taylor County celebrates its roots each May with the Western Heritage Classic beginning with a parade through downtown Abilene followed by a street dance, cowboy poetry, chuck wagon cook-off, a glitzy gala, rodeo, and numerous competitions.

The county is home to multiple wind farms, including two shared with neighboring Nolan County. In fact, two of the wind farms are among the top 10 largest in the world. Along with generating more than 1,400 MW of energy, the farms provide an interesting landscape.

The Abilene State Park in Tuscola fosters family entertainment with its pool, camping facilities, and hiking trails, along with beautiful Lake Abilene.

Taylor County is proud of its military population at Dyess Air Force Base, home of the B-1B Lancer. In addition, Dyess houses the C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft.

“Before heading home, try a big, juicy steak at one of our world-renowned eateries, and you will walk away knowing you have just enjoyed the best steak you will ever eat,” shared County Judge Downing Bolls. “Whether you are here for business or pleasure, you’ll find a great deal to do and see right here in Taylor County. We offer you small-town friendliness with big-city amenities.”


Judge Bolls and Traci Graham, former administrative assistant to the Taylor County Commissioners Court, contributed to this article.

 

Filed Under: Monuments of Justice Tagged With: courthouse, Taylor County

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to County Progress

Subscribe: Newsletter | Magazine | Directory

May 2023

May 2023
If you'd like to view our previous issues, click here.

Search County Progress

Dates of Interest for the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature

Official deadlines will be set when the House and Senate adopt their rules, but until then, the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual provides the following general calendar: 

Bill pre-filing began:  Nov. 14, 2022 

1st day of session:  Jan. 10, 2023 

60-day bill filing deadline:  March 10, 2023  

Adjournment sine die:  May 29, 2023 

Post-session 20-day deadline for governor to sign or veto:  June 18, 2023 

Effective date (91st day after adjournment):  Aug. 28, 2023

Sample Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum at Meetings of the County Commissioners Court

Resolutions

Unfunded Mandate Resolution

The latest resolutions passed by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas and the three Regional Associations are available at the links below.

County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas Resolutions 2022

North & East Texas Resolutions 2022

South Texas Resolutions 2022

West Texas Resolutions 2023

Texas County Directory

Place your order for the updated 2023 Directory

Connect with us online.

Facebook spacer Twitter spacer LinkedIn spacer Instagram

Footer

Search County Progress

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

County Progress

3457 Curry Lane
Abilene, TX 79606
325.673.4822
countyprogress@zacpubs.com

Categories

© 2023 · Zachry Publications