223 of 254 Foard County Courthouse, Crowell, Texas. County Population: 1,336
Foard County, Texas
"Foard County, in north central Texas on the rolling plains east of the base of the Panhandle, is bounded on the north by Hardeman County, on the west by Cottle County, on the south by Knox County, and on the east by Wilbarger and Baylor Counties. The county, named for Robert L. Foard, a lawyer and former Confederate officer, covers an area of 703 square miles ranging from 1,400 to 1,700 feet in altitude. The Wichita River forms part of the southern boundary of the county, and the Pease River forms part of the northern border.
"The first post office in the area was established at Pease City in May 1880. In 1891, Foard County was marked off from lands previously assigned to Cottle, King, Knox, and Hardeman County. Witherspoon had circulated a petition for the county's organization and presented it to the state legislature. Although Beaver County was the original name proposed, the county was named for Robert Foard because he was the law partner of an influential member of the committee that reported on the bill to establish the county. Shortly after the county was authorized on March 3, 1891, the new townsites of Foard City and Crowell vied to become the county seat; a third townsite, Sandrock, was also a contender for a brief time. Crowell was chosen after an election on April 27, 1891. Although the town was devastated by a tornado on April 27, 1942, it recovered quickly and remains the center of the county's agribusiness and oil economy."
John Leffler, "FOARD COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online
"The first post office in the area was established at Pease City in May 1880. In 1891, Foard County was marked off from lands previously assigned to Cottle, King, Knox, and Hardeman County. Witherspoon had circulated a petition for the county's organization and presented it to the state legislature. Although Beaver County was the original name proposed, the county was named for Robert Foard because he was the law partner of an influential member of the committee that reported on the bill to establish the county. Shortly after the county was authorized on March 3, 1891, the new townsites of Foard City and Crowell vied to become the county seat; a third townsite, Sandrock, was also a contender for a brief time. Crowell was chosen after an election on April 27, 1891. Although the town was devastated by a tornado on April 27, 1942, it recovered quickly and remains the center of the county's agribusiness and oil economy."
John Leffler, "FOARD COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online
I visited Foard County and photographed the courthouse in Crowell on Saturday, May 9, 2015.
Along Texas Highway 6 in north Foard County
Foard County Courthouse 1910
Image courtesy of courthousethistory.com
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Image courtesy of courthousehistory.com
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Foard County courthouse, circa 1939, photo courtesy of TXDOT
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The north façade of the courthouse is on Commerce Street
The northeast corner of the courthouse square, with the Foard County Veterans Memorial
The east façade of the courthouse is on 1st Street
View of 1st Street from the east courthouse stairs
The south façade is on California Street
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The west façade, considered the front, is on Main Street
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Another view of the south façade. Note the thin window located within the brick pilaster on the right side. Curious
The southeast corner of the building, at the intersection of California and 1st Streets
View of California Street from the south courthouse stairs
The front of the courthouse, viewed from the southwest
A pair of wall memorials guard the northwest corner of the square
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A pair of courthouse cats guard the building
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The north façade on Commerce Street
View of Commerce Street from the north courthouse stairs
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The side of the south stairs, looking west
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The first floor corridor, viewed from the west doors
View of Main Street from the west courthouse stairs
The town's activity center is on Main Street, across from the courthouse
I've seen a number of "pocket parks" in small Texas towns, but this is hands down, the best!
The Bank of Crowell is on the northwest corner of Main and California Streets
An historic building on the northwest corner of Main and Commerce Streets with new windows on the upper floor!
Looking west on Commerce Street. The courthouse square is on the left
The county Sheriff's office is on 1st Street, across from the courthouse (there's room for expansion)
The Crowell City Hall is on California Street, directly south of the courthouse
On the road in Foard County, a detour led me to this intersection in the seemingly middle of nowhere