051 of 254: Matagorda County Courthouse, Bay City, Texas. County Population: 36,791
Matagorda County, Texas
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"The name Matagorda, Spanish for "thick brush," was derived from the canebrakes that formerly lined the shore. Crossed by the once highly flood-prone Colorado River, which bisects it from north to south, the county extends across 1,612 square miles of mostly open prairie.
"The town of Matagorda, at the mouth of the Colorado River, was founded in 1829 after [Stephen F.] Austin had convinced the Mexican government that a military post was needed to protect incoming settlers. "After the war, in 1836, Matagorda County was organized as one of the first twenty-three counties by the Republic of Texas; Matagorda was designated as the county seat. "Bay City was founded in 1894, and because of its location near the center of the county it replaced Matagorda as the county seat. "While the town of Matagorda was the only major town in the county in 1890, by 1913 the railroads had helped to establish or expand many towns and villages, including Bay City, ... "Bay City, located at the junction point of all three railroad lines, flourished after 1900." Diana J. Kleiner, "MATAGORDA COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online I visited Matagorda County and photographed the courthouse on Friday, June 25, 2010 and again on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. |
The Colorado River near Bay City
Matagorda County Courthouse 1896
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
Eugene T. Heiner was the architect for this building in the Second Empire style. Subsequently, the drawings for the courthouse were purchased by neighboring Brazoria County, which constructed a similar building in 1897. Matin Byrne Johnson and Appligate of Victoria built the courthouse.
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Matagorda County Courthouse 1928The 1896 courthouse was significantly altered and wings added in 1928. Architectural design by Norris and Novnan of San Antonio. The clock tower was removed and the style was transformed to Spanish Revival. The building was demolished in 1963 to make way for the current courthouse.
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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1965 Matagorda County courthouse, Bay City. Rustay, Martin & Vale, architects.
Matagorda County courthouse 1965
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
In the early 1960's the county government decided the 1896/1928 courthouse was too old and expsenive to maintain. The old, historic building was demolished and a dramatic, formal and imposing concrete structure was constructed in the Bay City square.
Set on a plinth, with a parking garage below grade, the two-story building is a "classic" example of so-called modern architecture of the period. The solid first floor is setback behind a row of columns that support the over-hanging second floor with its vertical brise-soileil (French for "sun-breaker") shading the glazed elevations from the harsh Texas sun. For a contemporary courthouse, this one is very well done.
By the way, in 1959 Rustay & Martin Architects of Houston designed the Calhoun County courthouse in Port Lavaca, so they were already familiar with this area of the Texas Gulf coast.
Set on a plinth, with a parking garage below grade, the two-story building is a "classic" example of so-called modern architecture of the period. The solid first floor is setback behind a row of columns that support the over-hanging second floor with its vertical brise-soileil (French for "sun-breaker") shading the glazed elevations from the harsh Texas sun. For a contemporary courthouse, this one is very well done.
By the way, in 1959 Rustay & Martin Architects of Houston designed the Calhoun County courthouse in Port Lavaca, so they were already familiar with this area of the Texas Gulf coast.
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