• 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: Wood County Courthouse

September 2, 2021 by Sarah L

County Seat: Quitman * County Population: 46,291 (2020 Census Estimate) 

    

 

The Texas Legislature created Wood County in 1850 with Quitman as the county seat. The county first used a log courthouse on the south side of the square before building a two-story, frame structure, which burned in 1878. 

     According to the courthouse historical marker, the county’s third courthouse, designed by the noted F.E. Ruffini, was completed in 1884. This county capitol burned in 1924, and the county hired C.H. Leinbach of Dallas to design a new temple of justice with Rice Construction Co. as general contractor. The county added an annex in 1950, but the courthouse retained its Classical Revival style, with features including a grand stair with raised entry, a four-column temple front, and a full entablature with dentil molding and pediment.  

     Another marker located near the courthouse celebrates James Stephen Hogg, the first native Texan to become governor of the Lone Star State. 

     “At 22, he was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, and headed Commissioners Court of Wood County, 1874-75…” Hogg was inaugurated as governor on Jan. 20, 1891.  

    The late Royce Dean McCoy Jr., a former Wood County Judge, offered a beautiful picture of Wood County in a special series titled “Why Stop In?” Below is an excerpt from McCoy’s submission, available in full at https://countyprogress.com/why-stop-in-wood-county/. 

     Wood County and its people boast a colorful and unique personality, combining the serenity and beauty of rural America with cultural amenities easily within reach from our area. Lakes, rivers, and the piney woods provide a scenic backdrop for a wealth of recreational sports including world-class fishing, boating, hunting, and camping. 

     With a rich calendar of festivals, musical events, and community activities, the family oriented lifestyle of Wood County is clearly evident. Fascinating historical trails, an array of civic clubs and social organizations, and many houses of worship serve to enrich life in Wood County. 

     In addition to the abundance of natural resources (including the Bass Fishing Capital of Texas – Lake Fork Reservoir), the county encourages a growing manufacturing, production, and service economy to complement our increasing popularity as a tourist destination.  

     Warmth and hospitality combine with the culture, abundant natural resources, and progressive business attitude to make Wood County one of the most desirable places to live, work – and play! 

     Judge McCoy would be pleased to know that Wood County is making “top” lists, shared current County Judge Lucy Hebron. The Links at Lands’ End has been named one of the top 50 public golf courses in the nation. In addition, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine named one of the county’s best and newest assets, the Mineola Nature Preserve, one of the top 15 city parks in the nation for its size. 

     “This 2,911-acre gem is unmatched for its walking, hiking, biking, birding, wildlife viewing, equestrian trails, fishing ponds, and more,” Hebron shared. “This preserve has been a favorite of families (including mine) for many years.”

Filed Under: Monuments of Justice Tagged With: Wood 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