Presidio County Courthouse facts for kids
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Presidio County Courthouse
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Presidio County Courthouse
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 Presidio County Courthouse
Location in Texas
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| Location | Public Sq., Marfa, Texas |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | Alfred Giles |
| Architectural style | Second Empire, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001467 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 20, 1977 |
The Presidio County Courthouse is a very old and important building in Marfa. Marfa is a town in Presidio County, which is in the state of Texas. This courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This means it's a special building that is protected because of its history. It was also named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964.
About the Courthouse
This amazing building was designed by an architect named Alfred Giles. He won a competition against 18 other designers! The courthouse was built in 1886 and cost about $60,000 back then.
Alfred Giles designed it in a style called Second Empire. He based it on another courthouse he designed in El Paso. When the building was finished, people celebrated with a big party on January 1, 1887.
What It Looks Like
You can see the Presidio County Courthouse from almost anywhere in Marfa. It's made from brick and stone found right there in Marfa. The outside is a pretty pink color.
On top of the main dome, there's a statue of Lady Justice. She represents fairness and law. The tower has rounded arches, like those from ancient Rome. Inside, the building has beautiful wood made from pecan trees.
There are also special windows called dormers that stick out from the roof. They have triangle shapes above them and fancy iron decorations. The courthouse has entrances on all sides. These entrances all lead to a central round room called a rotunda.
When it was first built, the main courtroom took up the whole east side of the second floor. The room where grand juries met was on the third floor. The building was updated in 2001 to keep it looking great.
Courthouse History
Before this courthouse was built in Marfa, there was an older one in Fort Davis. That first courthouse was used from 1880 to 1885. A "county seat" is the main town where the county government is located. In 1885, the county seat was moved from Fort Davis to Marfa. That's why this new courthouse was built here.
Images for kids
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The original Presidio County Courthouse in Fort Davis.
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