Giddings in Lee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lee County Courthouse
Designed by J. R. Gordon along lines similar to New York State Capitol and several buildings at Harvard University. Classified as Richardsonian Romanesque style, after the famous Louisiana-born architect Henry H. Richardson.
Built by Sonnefield, Emmins and Abright of San Antonio, 1899. Replaced first courthouse, which burned 1897. Located on crest of divide separating the Colorado and Brazos River basins.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark – 1968
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8166.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 30° 10.889′ N, 96° 56.234′ W. Marker is in Giddings, Texas, in Lee County. Marker is on South Main Street (U.S. 77) north of East Richmond Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker and Texas Historical Medallion are mounted at eye-level, directly on west side of subject building, near the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 South Main Street, Giddings TX 78942, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee County (within shouting distance of this marker); General Robert E. Lee / Colonel Robert E. Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Milton Garrett York, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church of Giddings (within shouting distance of this marker); Fletcher Home (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Giddings (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); J. D. Giddings Lodge No. 280, A. F. & A. M. (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Giddings.
Regarding Lee County Courthouse. Texas Historic Landmark (1968)
Also see . . .
1. Lee County Courthouse (Texas). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Lee County Courthouse.
(includes new and old exterior and interior photos)
Lee County courthouse district courtroom - color of the walls and the painted patterns were culturally significant to the Wends, a Slavic people from eastern Germany, who were early settlers to this part of Texas. (Submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. James Riely Gordon, architect.
His first major job was to supervise the construction of the Federal Courthouse and Post Office in San Antonio (1886–89). During his career in the state, Gordon progressed from a charming and eclectic style in the Moorish manner into a highly effective Romanesque style somewhat like that of Henry Hobson Richardson. During his last years in Texas he worked in a Classical or Beaux-Arts style. At the beginning of 1903 Gordon transferred his center of operations to New York. There he had a distinguished career, which included thirteen terms as president of the New York Society of Architects. (Submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.