117 of 254: McCulloch County Courthouse, Brady, Texas. County Population: 8,283
McCulloch County, Texas
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"The geographical center of Texas is located in northeastern McCulloch County at 31°21' north latitude and 99°14' west longitude, sixteen miles northeast of Brady.
"In 1847 John O. Meusebach met with Comanche chiefs near the site of present Camp San Saba and signed the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty with them, but the threat of attacks and raids by the Comanches and other tribes delayed settlement of the area until the 1870s, when most of the Indians were moved to reservations outside Texas. "The Sixth Legislature formed McCulloch County from the Bexar District in 1856 and named it in honor of Benjamin McCulloch. In the late 1850s a few families came to the Lost Creek area and to the sites of present Milburn and Camp San Saba, but the population remained too small for permanent organization of the county. In 1860 McCulloch County was attached to San Saba County for judicial purposes. Some officials were elected for McCulloch County in the 1860s, and evidence suggests that the Voca and Lost Creek communities were the center of county affairs during these years, but it was not until 1876 that all of the county offices were filled and a county seat [Brady] was chosen. Vivian Elizabeth Smyrl, "MCCULLOCH COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online I visited McCulloch County and photographed the courthouse in Brady on Sunday, September 4, 2011 and again on June 29/30, 2018.
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McCulloch County Courthouse 1900
Photograph, circa 1939, courtesy TXDOT
"The McCulloch County Courthouse built by Martin and Moodie of Comanche, representing the "Turn Key" Construction Company, is built in a modified Romanesque style. A three story structure of cream-colored native sandstone, it follows the traditional cross axial plan. Built with arched vaults throughout, the interior retains the original wainscoting and stair-railings of what was originally pine woodwork and flooring throughout.
"On May 9, 1899, the County Commissioners met to consider the advisability of constructing a new courthouse. The commissioner met again on May 11, at which time it was noted that "the Plans and Specifications presented by Messers. Martin and Moodie for the erection of a new courthouse. . . was this day by the court adopted as Plans and Specifications to be used in the erection of said courthouse." On June 16, 1899 the contract was awarded to the firm of Martin and Moodie for their "best and most responsible bid" of $33,000.00." From the National Register narrative |
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Looking north, towards the courthouse, on US Highways 87, 190 & 377
The southeast corner of the courthouse square
Lots of traffic on Commerce Street
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The tower is open, and there are no clocks
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The south entrance
View from the south entrance, looking up Bridge Street
Brady is very close to the geographic center of Texas
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The central tower
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View from the west door of the courthouse, towards Church Street
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View from the north door of the courthouse, looking up Bridge Street, US 377
704 S. Bridge Street, circa 1908.
Detail on the 1936 US Post Office in Brady
The former Union Depot in Brady, circa 1911. The tracks are now owned by the Central Texas & Colorado River Railway, a short line connecting Brady, San Saba, and Lometa, where it connects with the BNSF.
The depot served two railroads: the Frisco and the Santa Fe.
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