067 of 254 Stonewall County Courthouse, Aspermont, Texas. County Population: 1,490
Stonewall County, Texas
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"Stonewall was one of fifty-four counties formed by the Fifteenth Texas Legislature in 1876 from the Young and Bexar districts. It remained attached to Young County for judicial and all other governmental purposes until March 31, 1887, when it was attached to Jones County for convenience. The county was named for Confederate general Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson.
"In 1888 the residents of the county petitioned the Jones County Commissioners Court to hold an election for the organization of the county. The balloting took place on December 20 of that year. On June 12, 1889, W. E. Rayner granted land for a townsite, and the new town of Rayner became the county seat. The courthouse, a large stone building, was built the following year. "As the county's population continued to expand in the 1890s, the placement of the county seat became a source of local controversy. [In 1889] A. L. Rhomberg ... platted a town, Aspermont, which was closer than Rayner to the center of the county. Beginning in 1892 the citizens of Aspermont made several attempts to make their rapidly growing town the county seat, and finally succeeded after an election held in June 1898. [In] March 1900, ... a contract to build a new courthouse in Aspermont was signed. Rayner soon ceased to exist." Joan Druesedow Griggs, "STONEWALL COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online I visited Stonewall County and photographed the courthouse on July 27, 2010 and June 1, 2013. |
Stonewall County Courthouse 1888 Image courtesy THC
Located in Rayner, this classical building was designed by Martin, Byrne & Johnson. When the county seat moved to Aspermont this courthouse was abandoned. I understand it still stands in what remains of Rayner.
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Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Stonewall County Courthouse 1911 Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
This solemn classical revival design was the work of architect Elmer G. Withers, who also designed the nearby Jones County courthouse in Anson.
The stately building was "altered," or "stripped" of its classical elements in a 1955 remodeling. It was then demolished to make way for the current courthouse. |
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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The 1911 courthouse cornerstone is displayed on the grounds of the current courthouse.
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Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
1955 version, Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Stonewall County Courthouse 1983
Lubbock Architects Mills & Davis designed the current courthouse in a loosely Wrightian style. Unfortunately, without any of Frank Lloyd Wright's skill
The one-story building faces south, on a public square that is the center of town
The courthouse entrance is shaded by a low vault
Lady Justice, removed from the dome of the 1911 courthouse in 1955, stands guard at the courthouse entrance
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The building exterior consists of a stack bond brick veneer with a tile "cornice"
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The courthouse occupies the west side of the large town square in Aspermont.
US Highway 380 passes directly north of the town square. The 1983 courthouse is on the right. Note the 1911 courthouse cornerstone protected by a pair of steel bollards.
The Stonewall County Activity Center is directly west of the courthouse
An historic bank building on the square.
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The 1983 courthouse uses a brick that is found throughout the square.
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The First Methodist Church in Aspermont. A block south of the town square.
A mercantile building on the square in Aspermont.