217 of 254 Throckmorton County Courthouse, Throckmorton, Texas. County Population: 1,641
Throckmorton County, Texas
"Throckmorton County encompasses 915 square miles of rolling country with red to black soils drained by the Clear Fork and Salt Fork of the Brazos River; elevations range between 1,200 to 1,800 feet above sea level. Hills are prominent in the southwestern sections.
"The area that is now Throckmorton County was a part of the Red River Municipality until 1837, when it became part of newly organized Fannin County. The Texas legislature established Throckmorton County in 1858, and Williamsburg initially was chosen to be the county seat. The area was named for William E. Throckmorton, an early settler on the north Texas frontier. In 1859 the Comanche reservation was relocated to Indian Territory, and by 1860 the United States census found only 124 people living in the county. The outbreak of the Civil War also impeded settlement of the area, and the county remained unorganized for almost twenty years after it was formed. Throckmorton County was organized in 1879, and the town of Throckmorton, located near the center of the county, became the county seat.
"In the decades following World War II farm consolidations, mechanization, and the search for new opportunities continued to drain the county's population. The number of people living in the area dropped to 3,618 by 1950, to 2,767 by 1970, and to 2,053 by 1980."
John Leffler, "THROCKMORTON COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online
I visited Throckmorton County and photographed the courthouse in Throckmorton on October 19, 2014 and on May 9, 2015 .
"The area that is now Throckmorton County was a part of the Red River Municipality until 1837, when it became part of newly organized Fannin County. The Texas legislature established Throckmorton County in 1858, and Williamsburg initially was chosen to be the county seat. The area was named for William E. Throckmorton, an early settler on the north Texas frontier. In 1859 the Comanche reservation was relocated to Indian Territory, and by 1860 the United States census found only 124 people living in the county. The outbreak of the Civil War also impeded settlement of the area, and the county remained unorganized for almost twenty years after it was formed. Throckmorton County was organized in 1879, and the town of Throckmorton, located near the center of the county, became the county seat.
"In the decades following World War II farm consolidations, mechanization, and the search for new opportunities continued to drain the county's population. The number of people living in the area dropped to 3,618 by 1950, to 2,767 by 1970, and to 2,053 by 1980."
John Leffler, "THROCKMORTON COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online
I visited Throckmorton County and photographed the courthouse in Throckmorton on October 19, 2014 and on May 9, 2015 .
Approaching Throckmorton, Texas from the south, on US Highway 283
Throckmorton County sits astride the Great Western Cattle Trail
Throckmorton County Courthouse 1890
Martin, Byrnes & Johnston, architects.
Image courtesy of courthousehistory.com
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The courthouse is undergoing a full restoration
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The courthouse tower was removed in 1938. Visible on the right is a1938 addition to the west side of the building. Image courtesy of courthousehistory.com
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The tower was replaced by a short, stubby roof. The 1938 addition is visible on the left side of the building.
Photo, circa 1939, courtesy of TXDOT
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The new courthouse tower
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The 1890 cornerstone makes no mention of the building's designer
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The 1938 addition was removed during the restoration
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Restoration of the south façade of the courthouse is complete
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The view from the courthouse steps, looking east to Minter Avenue
North of the courthouse is a two-story annex to the courthouse
The restoration continues. I'll be back when it's compete
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Beware of welders with antlers!
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May 9, 2015: approaching Throckmorton from the north. The restoration is complete!
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