011 of 254 Fayette County Courthouse, La Grange, Texas. County Population: 24,554
La Grange: almost the capital of Texas!
Fayette County, Texas
Founded near a Colorado River crossing used by Indians and Spanish explorers, the City of La Grange’s development resonates with themes predominant across Texas history.
In 1826, a twin blockhouse called Moore's Fort was built within what is now the city limits. By 1831, a small community had developed and in 1837, a town was platted. When the Congress of the Republic of Texas established Fayette County the same year, La Grange became its seat of government. Fayette County is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero. The City of La Grange takes its name from his chateau to which he retired.The citizens organized the county government on January 18, 1838, and the southwestern boundary of the county was extended westward on May 3, 1838. The county lost territory in the south to Lavaca County in 1854 and in the north to Lee County in 1874.
La Grange-area citizens were instrumental in the fight for Texas independence. In 1838, the Texas Congress passed a bill intended to place the capital of the Republic of Texas on a site contiguous with La Grange; however, it was vetoed by Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas.
In addition, until 1973 La Grange was home of the Chicken Ranch, the so-called "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." (Thanks a lot, Marvin Zindler! )
I visited Fayette County and photographed the courthouse on May 24, 2009, September 3, 2011 and once again, on Friday, January 25, 2013.
In 1826, a twin blockhouse called Moore's Fort was built within what is now the city limits. By 1831, a small community had developed and in 1837, a town was platted. When the Congress of the Republic of Texas established Fayette County the same year, La Grange became its seat of government. Fayette County is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero. The City of La Grange takes its name from his chateau to which he retired.The citizens organized the county government on January 18, 1838, and the southwestern boundary of the county was extended westward on May 3, 1838. The county lost territory in the south to Lavaca County in 1854 and in the north to Lee County in 1874.
La Grange-area citizens were instrumental in the fight for Texas independence. In 1838, the Texas Congress passed a bill intended to place the capital of the Republic of Texas on a site contiguous with La Grange; however, it was vetoed by Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas.
In addition, until 1973 La Grange was home of the Chicken Ranch, the so-called "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." (Thanks a lot, Marvin Zindler! )
I visited Fayette County and photographed the courthouse on May 24, 2009, September 3, 2011 and once again, on Friday, January 25, 2013.
La Grange is located on a 90 degree turn in the Colorado River
The Texas Quilt Museum opened its doors in November 2011, a block northeast of the courthouse square
Historic commercial buildings on the east side of the courthouse square, on Washington Street
 La Grange, Texas |
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Fayette County Courthouse 1891"Texas courthouse architect James Riely Gordon designed this 1891 Romanesque Revival courthouse. Rare among courthouses, this structure originally had an open atrium at its center providing ample natural ventilation and lighting and featured a large fountain, cast iron sculptures and tropical plants. Enclosed for vaults and office space many years ago, the atrium was reopened recreating what is sure to be or of the most uniquely beautiful features to be found in a courthouse in this state. The entire building was restored to its historic appearance in a manner that will provide both aesthetic beauty and functional utility for the county. Work began in June 2003 and was completed in March 2005."
From the Texas Historical Commission website |
 Image courtesy courthousehistory.com |
Approaching downtown La Grange from the west, on W. Travis Street
The Fayette County courthouse towers above downtown La Grange, flags flying at each corner of the historic building
View of the courthouse from the southwest, at the corner of Main and Travis Streets
The southwest corner of the courthouse
The west facade of the courthouse, on the primary axis of the building
The west entrance
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The south entrance
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View of the courthouse from the northeast, at the corner of Washington and Colorado Streets
The front of the courthouse faces east and a little north, on Washington Street
The view of Washington Street from the front steps of the courthouse
The southeast corner of the courthouse
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Another view of the souteast corner
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The north facade of the courthouse, on Colorado Street
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"Texas' most abundant building material--stone--was used to create rich detail in texture and color. The exterior walls displayed Belton white limestone and Muldoon blue sandstone in a polychrome technique. The two stones produce a checker- board effect in the gables, while the arches are richly expressed by alternating the voussoirs with the two different stones. Red Pecos sandstone emphasized the horizontal string courses and pink Burnet granite richly accent
the columns and steps. The colonettes display acanthus-leaf capitals and some of the stonework displays detail. Located at the base of the clock tower is a large stone slab on which an American eagle is carved. At each end of the dentil work above the stone slab are the likenesses of griffins. Between the windows the pressed tin swag and patera motifs in the spandrels further embellish the building." From the National Register narrative
the columns and steps. The colonettes display acanthus-leaf capitals and some of the stonework displays detail. Located at the base of the clock tower is a large stone slab on which an American eagle is carved. At each end of the dentil work above the stone slab are the likenesses of griffins. Between the windows the pressed tin swag and patera motifs in the spandrels further embellish the building." From the National Register narrative
The fantasy of carved stone that is the front porch of the Fayette County courthouse
The east entrance
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The building stone
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The builders of the Fayette County courthouse, Martin Burns & Johnsen, were associated with a number of 19th century Texas courthouses. Oddly, the spelling of last two names of the company varies from location to location. It's also spelled "Martin Byrnes & Johnston" and Martin Byrns & Johnson."
The central atrium of the courthouse was orginally open to the sky
View through the central atrium, towards the east doors of the courthouse
The Fayette County Precinct #2 Courthouse on the square in Fayetteville TX. The building dates from 1880, but the tower was added in 1934.