Eastland in Eastland County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
1. Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals Marker
Under an 1891 legislative act, Texas created a court of appeals system. These courts are part of the judicial branch of the Texas government and are located at a level above trial courts but below the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Each appellate court had a chief justice and at least two additional justices, elected every six years. Residents of Eastland, which experienced population growth in the 1910s and 1920s, complained of long travel to the nearest Court of Civil Appeals in Fort Worth. When the Texas Legislature began discussing expansion of the court of appeal system in 1923, Senator Joseph Burkett (1885-1962) of Eastland offered a bill to establish an Eleventh Court of Civil Appeals in Eastland. The Senate passed the bill, but it was delayed in the House until an amendment was proposed which would establish the court in Abilene. Sen. Burkett relented, hoping Governor Pat Neff would veto it, which he did.
When the Legislature met again in 1925, Senator Carl C. Hardin (1882-1965) of Erath County offered a bill to establish an Eleventh Court of Civil Appeals in neighboring Eastland. The bill passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Miriam Ferguson. Three new justices were sworn in. Will Pannill (1876-1948) of Stephenville was sworn in as chief justice. John Littler (1865-1953) of Big Spring and T.B. Ridgell (1870-1943) of Breckenridge were associate justices.
The original location was in Eastland's First State Bank, which was remodeled to include a courtroom, justices' chambers and library. When Eastland County built a new courthouse in 1928, it included space for the court. The Eleventh Court of Appeals in Eastland, the smallest Texas town to host a court of appeals, has continued to serve justice to the region, covering 28 primarily
this page online
Erected 2023 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23817.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 32° 24.069′ N, 98° 49.116′ W. Marker is in Eastland, Texas, in Eastland County. It is at the intersection of W Commerce Street and S Seaman Street, on the right when traveling west on W Commerce Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 W Main St, Eastland TX 76448, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. 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 Comanchería, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eastland County World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Camp Salmon / Texas Civil War Frontier Defense (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
2. Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
