Webb County Courthouse (Texas) facts for kids
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Webb County Courthouse
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Webb County Courthouse
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 Webb County Courthouse
Location in Texas
Webb County Courthouse
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1000 Houston St., Laredo, Texas |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Alfred Giles, H. Sperbert |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000635 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 4, 1981 |
The Webb County Courthouse is a very important building located in Laredo, Texas. Laredo is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. This historic courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it's recognized as a special place worth protecting.
Designing the Courthouse
In 1907, Webb County wanted a new courthouse. They put out ads in local newspapers. These ads asked architects to submit their ideas for the building's design. A famous architect from San Antonio, named Alfred Giles, won the design contest. He submitted his winning plan on February 27, 1907. The courthouse was finished in 1909. It cost about $46,918 to build.
Special Features of the Design
The Webb County Courthouse is built in the Beaux-Arts style. This style is known for being grand and fancy. Inside, the judge's bench is curved. There is also a beautiful stained glass window. This window shows "Justice" holding scales, which represent fairness.
The floors inside are made of tiles. They have a cool Mediterranean style. The staircases are made of strong wrought iron. These were made by a company called Alamo Iron Works. The doors inside are made of solid wood. They have shiny brass doorknobs.
The roof has special parts called Mansard-roofed terminal pavilions. These parts have stone carvings of rams' heads. The building itself is made of yellow bricks. It has white stone decorations and red tile roofs. Outside, the courthouse grounds have pecan trees and citrus trees. A special stone, called a cornerstone, shows who built it. It lists the contractor, H. Sparbert, and the architect, Alfred Giles, along with the year 1909.
Many buildings designed by Alfred Giles have been torn down over the years. But the Webb County Courthouse is a great example of his work. It shows why he is still respected by architects and historians today.
Celebrating 100 Years
In November 2010, the county celebrated the courthouse's 100th birthday. They held an art contest to mark this special event. County Judge Danny Valdez and Javier Santos helped to show off the winning design. This happened on November 12, 2010. A student named Jocelyn Rivera submitted the winning design. Her design was turned into a new stained glass window. You can find this window on the third floor of the courthouse.
