016 of 254: Washington County Courthouse, Brenham, Texas. County Population: 33,718
Washington County, Texas
"Washington County is in the Blackland Prairies region of southeast central Texas. The county was named for George Washington, the first president of the United States. Washington County encompasses 611 square miles of gently rolling land with elevations ranging between 200 to 500 feet above sea level. Washington County, located in the post oak belt, is well timbered, and elms, ashes, hackberries, hickories, pecans, cottonwoods, red cedar, mulberry, and other trees grow in its forests. The county's climate is subtropical and humid, with an average annual precipitation of forty inches.
"In reaction to French incursions into territory claimed by Spain, the Spanish established the earliest Texas presidio in East Texas near Nacogdoches. Later, after the relocation of the La Bahía mission to Goliad, the Spanish constructed a road through what is now Washington County to connect these two settlements. The area remained unsettled by Europeans until 1821, when settlers recruited by Stephen F. Austin moved into the region.
"In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with the rebellion. In December 1835 the Texan army commanded by Gen. Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836, which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the ad interim government.
"Washington County was formally established by the legislature of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was organized in 1837. Washington-on-the-Brazos became the county seat. Immigration into the area increased significantly in the years after the establishment of the republic, and the rise in population led to the division of the county, which was originally one of the largest in Texas. In February 1840 all of Washington County west of the Brazos River and north of Yegua Creek was annexed to Milam County (some of this land later formed parts of Lee and Burleson counties), and in 1841 Washington County lost more land when Navasota County (now Brazos County) was established. It also lost territory to Walker County (1846) and Madison County (1853). Later, in 1874, the county was reduced one last time when Lee County was formed. The growth of the county led to the county seat being moved, first to Mount Vernon in 1841 and then to Brenham in 1844. Meanwhile, Washington-on-the-Brazos became the capital city of Texas in 1842; the Texas government remained there until 1845, when Texas was annexed by the United States and the capital was moved to Austin.
Handbook of Texas Online, James L. Hailey and John Leffler, "Washington County,"
I visited the Washington County and photographed the courthouse in Brenham on July 17, 2009, October 1, 2011 and April 29, 2018.
"In reaction to French incursions into territory claimed by Spain, the Spanish established the earliest Texas presidio in East Texas near Nacogdoches. Later, after the relocation of the La Bahía mission to Goliad, the Spanish constructed a road through what is now Washington County to connect these two settlements. The area remained unsettled by Europeans until 1821, when settlers recruited by Stephen F. Austin moved into the region.
"In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with the rebellion. In December 1835 the Texan army commanded by Gen. Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836, which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the ad interim government.
"Washington County was formally established by the legislature of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was organized in 1837. Washington-on-the-Brazos became the county seat. Immigration into the area increased significantly in the years after the establishment of the republic, and the rise in population led to the division of the county, which was originally one of the largest in Texas. In February 1840 all of Washington County west of the Brazos River and north of Yegua Creek was annexed to Milam County (some of this land later formed parts of Lee and Burleson counties), and in 1841 Washington County lost more land when Navasota County (now Brazos County) was established. It also lost territory to Walker County (1846) and Madison County (1853). Later, in 1874, the county was reduced one last time when Lee County was formed. The growth of the county led to the county seat being moved, first to Mount Vernon in 1841 and then to Brenham in 1844. Meanwhile, Washington-on-the-Brazos became the capital city of Texas in 1842; the Texas government remained there until 1845, when Texas was annexed by the United States and the capital was moved to Austin.
Handbook of Texas Online, James L. Hailey and John Leffler, "Washington County,"
I visited the Washington County and photographed the courthouse in Brenham on July 17, 2009, October 1, 2011 and April 29, 2018.
June 2020: Washington County awarded $713,130 planning grant by the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program
The 1939 Washington County’s Art Deco-style Courthouse sports facades along its rectangular structure, broken up by a large central projecting bay. The entrances are defined by black marble elements and stylized aluminum eagle sculptures. The Round XI Planning Grant will produce construction documents that can be used to fully restore the courthouse. Washington County will address inappropriate changes to the square from 1985, including removal of raised planting beds. Exterior work will focus on repair of the limestone veneer panel system and replacement of the flat roofing systems. Interior work will ensure full restoration of historic elements and finishes, including District Courtroom furnishings
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Washington-on-the-Brazos, officially named Washington, in the upper northeastern corner of what is now Washington County, was a major political and commercial center in early Texas. The town was originally named Washington and began to be called Washington-on-the-Brazos or Old Washington only after the Civil War. Washington was one mile southwest of the junction of the Brazos and Navasota rivers, where the La Bahía Road crossed the Brazos River, seventy miles northwest of Houston and nearly 200 miles up the Brazos from the coast.
Handbook of Texas Online, Carole E. Christian, "Washington-On-the-brazos, TX," |
In December 1835 Washington became Gen. Sam Houston's headquarters and the concentration point for Texas army volunteers and supplies. By 1836 the residents numbered approximately 100. To stimulate further growth, Washington businessmen offered an assembly hall without charge to attract the Convention of 1836 to their town. These town promoters rented the only structure large enough for deliberations, an unfinished building, from entrepreneur Noah T. Byars. Although the town had an inn, most delegates could not find lodging. At Washington between March 1 and March 17, 1836, delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, wrote the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, and established the ad interim government. To escape Antonio López de Santa Anna's army, the Texas government and the inhabitants of Washington evacuated the town.
The Victorian style Ross-Carroll House dates from 1899.
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Brenham is perhaps best known as the home of Blue Bell Creameries.
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Washington County Courthouse 1939 Photo, circa 1939, courtesy of TXDOT.
This white limestone clad edifice is a typical example of the WPA funded courthouses. It features Art Deco or Moderne style ornament. The architect was Travis Broesche.
The building is just in fair condition. And, the clocks don't work. "Time" for a restoration! |
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Mature trees surround the courthouse, limiting clear views of the building.
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Compare this view, from the southeast, to the 1939 view above, taken in the same place.
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The north entrance.
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The north facade of the courthouse.
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A county courthouse annex has been constructed on the west side of the square, using existing building facades.
Brenham and Washington County are well equipped to cater to visitors. This building is a block west of the square.
The former US Post Office is now the Brenham Heritage Museum, located a block east of the square.
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The Blinn College "Old Main" building dates from 1906. Designed by Charles H. Page & Bro., Architects of Austin, Texas in a Spanish Revival style.
"We all scream for ice cream!"