016 of 254:  Washington County Courthouse, Brenham, Texas.  County Population:  33,718

"The Birthplace of Texas"

Washington County, Texas

"The area remained unsettled by Europeans until 1821, when settlers recruited by Stephen F. Austin moved into the region.  Many, though not all, of the Old Three Hundred colonists settled in what is now Washington County.  [Washington on the Brazos] 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."
James L. Hailey and John Leffler, "WASHINGTON COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online  Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

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The Victorian style Ross-Carroll House dates from 1899.

Brenham is perhaps best known as the home of Blue Bell Creameries.

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.

Compare this view, from the southeast, to the 1939 view above, taken in the same place.

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.

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!"