022 of 254:  Dimmit County Courthouse, Carrizo Springs, Texas.  County Population:  9,996

Dimmit County, Texas (No, the county doesn't border the Rio Grande River; it misses by the river by about 3 miles, thanks to Webb and Maverick Counties.)

"Dimmit County, in southern Texas, is bordered by Zavala, La Salle, Webb, and Maverick counties. Carrizo Springs, the county's largest town and the county seat, is located in the northwestern part of the county.   Dimmit County was named for Philip Dimmitt, one of the framers of the Goliad Declaration of Independence; his name was misspelled when the county was formed. The county comprises 1,307 square miles of generally flat to rolling terrain vegetated with mesquite and small trees, scrub brush, cacti, and grasses. The elevation of the county ranges from approximately 500 to 800 feet. 
"Between the Texas Revolution and the Mexican War (1836–46), most of Dimmit County lay in the disputed area between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River. Since neither the Republic of Texas nor the Mexican government could establish control over this strip of contested land, known at the time as Wild Horse Desert or El Desierto Muerto (Dead Desert), it became a haven for desperate characters. 
"In 1858, Dimmit County was officially formed from parts of Bexar, Webb, Maverick, and Uvalde Counties.  The first permanent settlement in Dimmit County, Carrizo Springs, was founded in 1865 by a group of fifteen families from Atascosa County."
John Leffler, "DIMMIT COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online
I visited Dimmit County and photographed the courthouse in Carrizo Springs on August 27, 2009 and April 27, 2014.

Dimmit County Courthouse 1884, altered 1925-6

1884 Courthouse, by J.C. Breeding & Sons

Originally a 5-bay, square Italianate building with wooden frame. It is believed the design was initially prepared by Alfred Giles.  Soon afterward, he was replaced by J.C. Breeding & Sons, who built the courthouse.  A central double gallery was removed in 1925 by Henry T. Phelps and expansion of the north and south ends resulted in today's "H"-plan. Most of the original 1884 building is hidden.
In 2004 the courthouse was fully restored by Frank Architects and Stoddard Construction.

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Phelps' design substantially demolished the original Italianate styled building and enclosed what remained with a larger, neo-classical styled edifice.  Oddly, the symmetrical front façade on the west side of the building announces a main entrance that is decidedly not aligned with the new façade.  In fact, the doors are located by the original internal layout of the 1884 building, resulting in this disconcerting arrangement.
The National Register narrative has this to say about the courthouse:  "The expansion of the courthouse has enabled it to continue to serve the legal and judicial needs of Dimmit County. While the loss of the original courthouse structure to remodeling and expansion is perhaps regrettable, the building campaign of 1925-26 generated an edifice which provides a dignified setting for the conduct of county business, and insured the continuation of governmental functions on the same site where they began in 1884."

Wall mounted plaque inside the courthouse commemorates the 2004 restoration project

April 30, 2014.  The Texas Historical Commission announced the recipients of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program Round VIII Grants. Dimmit County: $450,000 grant award for foundation waterproofing to rectify water leaks in the basement where records are currently stored. The project also involves masonry repairs, window replacement and minor repairs to interior plaster.

The southwest corner of the courthouse

View of N. 5th Street from the west side of the courthouse

The south side of the building and the courthouse grounds

The east façade is the back of the building and the only side without a door. It faces N. 4th Street

The north façade faces W. Houston Street

View of the courthouse square from the northwest, at the intersection of N. 5th and W. Houston Streets

Dimmit County Annex Building on W. Houston Street, across from the courthouse