Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
McLennan County Courthouse
(Built 1901-02)
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, October 12, 2025
1. McLennan County Courthouse Marker
Seat of justice for county organized in 1850 by founders of Waco, to give the young city added strength. Ironically, until the early 20th century, county outstripped city in prosperity.
This courthouse (the county's fourth) was built during peak of central Texas cotton wealth. The Renaissance Revival design by J. Riely Gordon of Dallas uses steel, limestone, concrete, and marble, with Texas red granite in the rusticated base. Housed here are numerous state, district, and county courts, with a law library open to all citizens.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3302.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 31° 33.437′ N, 97° 8.002′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is on Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Washington Avenue, Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Courthouses of McLennan County (here, next to this marker); Sheppard "Shep" Mullens (within shouting distance of this marker); Alico Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Waco Tornado (about 600 feet away); The C.C. McCulloch House (about 700 feet away); Gerald-Harris Shooting
this page online
Photographed by Diane Anderson, October 17, 2019
2. McLennan County Courthouse
Marker is located at the base of the staircase.
Photographed by Diane Anderson, October 17, 2019
3. McLennan County Courthouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.
