161 of 254  Glasscock County Courthouse, Garden City, Texas.  County Population:  1,226

Glasscock County, Texas

"Glasscock County was formed in 1887 from Tom Green County and named for George W. Glasscock, a Texas Revolution officer and Texas legislator for whom Georgetown, county seat of Williamson County, was also named. Before the establishment of Tom Green County in 1874, Glasscock County was part of the Bexar District, which was subsequently divided into thirteen counties. After the Civil War, Glasscock County was part of the Pecos Military District, and cattlemen using the Pecos Trail drove herds through the area. After its founding in 1889 Glasscock County was attached for administrative purposes first to Martin County, then to Howard County. Glasscock County was formally organized
after an election was held in 1893.
"By 1893 three small settlements, Garden City, Dixie, and New California, had been established within 1½ miles of each other near Lacy Creek. New California was selected as the county seat because its higher ground promised more easily obtainable well water. The original settlement called Garden City was abandoned, even though at the time it had the county's post office and more homes than New California. New California was subsequently renamed Garden City."
John Leffler, "GLASSCOCK COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online  

I visited Glasscock County and photographed the courthouse in Garden City on Friday, July 27, 2012 and on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. 

Ranch Road 33, driving south from Big Spring through Glasscock County

The crossroads of Glasscock County is the intersection of TX 158 and FM 33 in downtown Garden City.

Glasscock County Courthouse and Jail 1894

"On May 9, 1893, a little over one month from the date of Glasscock County's formal organization, the first county commissioner's court issued bonds to erect a combination courthouse/jail building. L. T. Noyes of Houston, with the assistance of plasterer William T. Lovell, completed the structure on February 12, 1894. Originally, the ground floor of the building was used for court sessions and the second floor used as the jail. The 2-story stone building, later used only as a jail, features subtle Classical influences, including corner pilasters and a tall corbelled cornice."  From a Texas Historical Marker

The historic Glasscock County courthouse and jail is on the corner of Main Street (Ranch Road 33) and Highway 158

The southeast corner of the building, viewed from the current courthouse

Glasscock County Courthouse 1909

Image courtesy courthousehistory.com

Photograph, circa1939, courtesy TXDOT

"County bonds issued through the First State Bank of Garden City in 1909 were used to employ Mutual Construction Company, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky, and architects Edward C. Hasford & Co., of Dallas, to build a new courthouse.  The 2 1/2 story Classical Revival structure, constructed of 3-foot thick native stone from a local ranch owned by Steve Calverley, was completed on August 27, 1910. It features colossal Doric columns supporting its open pediment and a horizontal belt course which follows its 2nd floor window sills.  The current Glasscock County Courthouse has been in continuous use since 1910. The original courthouse/jail structure was replaced by a new jail in 1980."  From a Texas Historical Marker 
(Other sources name the architect Edward C. Hosford & Company.)

The southwest corner of the courthouse, viewed from Main Street

The east facade of the courthouse with the historic courthouse and jail on the right

Detail of the east pediment

The west facade faces Main Street (Ranch Road 33). The metal stack on the left is now gone, along with the window AC units!

The view from the west side of the courthouse to Ranch Road 33

The base of one of the building's massive Doric columns

The cornerstone: no mention is made of the architect or builder The conduits and meters are now gone!

View of the courthouse from the southwest

There's an odd addition (a shed?) blocking the portico on the south facade of the courthouse. The shed and iron bars are now gone!

The northeast corner of the courthouse

The north facade is the accessible entrance

The District courtroom on the second floor

The courthouse was completely restored and was re-dedicated in 2018.  Komatsu Architecture served as the project architect, with KBL Restoration as construction manager at risk.  In 2020 the courthouse had been serving Glasscock County for 110 years.  Click HERE​ for an article about the restoration.

The "front" of the courthouses faces west, on FM 33. Trees have been planted along the sidewalk leading to the doors.

The southwest corner of the courthouse.

Two accessible parking spaces were added on the west side.

The doors on the south facade were restored.

The east facade.

The east facade.

A memorial honoring Glasscock County's military members lost in various wars is on the northwest corner of the courthouse square.

The north facade.

The northeast corner, with the building cornerstone, has been cleaned up.

The northeast corner of the courthouse.

The Glasscock County Jail is southeast of the courthouse, at the intersection of Myri and Houston Streets

The Glasscock County Community Center, east of the courthouse

The beautiful rock facade of the the First Baptist Church of Garden City, on Main Street

Driving east on TX 158 towards Sterling City on the morning of Tuesday, March 31, 2020.