Ugly courthouses

I'm often asked to name my favorite courthouse.  The follow up question is usually, "So, what's the ugliest courthouse you've seen?"  At the risk of offending several counties, here's my current answer to that question.  The bottom 3 are:
#3:  Nolan County, Sweetwater. 

Nolan County courthouse, Sweetwater, Texas. 1977

I wish I could tell you these men are here to demolish the courthouse, but, alas, they were just repairing sidewalks.  As you can see for yourself, this building is a sleek, shiny, bunker of a courthouse.  What you can't see in this photograph is the collection of very good historic buildings surrounding this late 20th century edifice in the center of Sweetwater. 
#2:  Taylor County, Abilene.

Taylor County courthouse, Abilene, Texas. 1972

Just to the east of Nolan County is Taylor County.  Besides sharing a common border, these two counties share a common problem:  ugly courthouses.  The Taylor County courthouse was the first to be erected, followed a few later by Nolan County.  Taylor County has a greater population and, thus, a larger ugly courthouse than Nolan County.  Given more money to spend, the Taylor County building doesn't disappoint.  It's tall, imposing and fortress-like.  From what planet this spaceship arrived, I don't know.  Bonus points:  it's very difficult to find the door to this building!  The day I was there numerous signs were scattered around the building, directing me to the entrance.

Enter at your own risk!

#1:  Nueces County, Corpus Christi.

Nueces County courthouse, Corpus Christi, Texas. 1977

Hummm.  1977.  What were architects drinking (smoking?) in the 1970's?  My theory:  after the hostile post WWI reaction to traditional architectural styles and the embrace of the modern "international" style, architects were left with little appreciation of good, timeless design and the results were predictable.  The current Nueces courthouse replaced a beautiful classical building that still stands, waiting to be restored or demolished.  The "new" courthouse is a sprawling mega-structure with precast concrete panels and odd windows with gold tinted glass.  Sad, very sad.

Nueces County courthouse, Corpus Christi, Texas. 1914 The exterior of the left side of the building was restored a few years ago.

Honorable mentions:  Madison County, Aransas County