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 and October 1, 2011.
"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 and October 1, 2011.
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.
The north facade of the courthouse.
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.
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"We all scream for ice cream!"
