Wilson County Courthouse and Jail

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Wilson County Courthouse and Jail
Wilson courthouse.jpg
Wilson County Courthouse in 2008
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Wilson County Courthouse and Jail
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Wilson County Courthouse and Jail
LocationPublic Square,
Floresville, Texas
Coordinates 29°8′0″N98°9′25″W / 29.13333°N 98.15694°W / 29.13333; -98.15694 Coordinates: 29°8′0″N98°9′25″W / 29.13333°N 98.15694°W / 29.13333; -98.15694
Area3 acres (1.2 ha)
Built1884 (1884)
Architect Alfred Giles
James Riely Gordon
Architectural style Italianate
NRHP reference # 78003001 [1]
TSAL # 698
RTHL # 5856
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 5, 1978
Designated TSALMay 28, 1981
Designated RTHL1984

The Wilson County Courthouse and Jail are located in Floresville, Texas. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas in 1978 and the courthouse as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1984.

Floresville, Texas City in Texas, United States

Floresville is a city in Wilson County, Texas, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population was at 6,448 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Wilson County. The city is also part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.

National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilson County, Texas Wikimedia list article

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilson County, Texas.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas. RTHL is a legal designation and the highest honor the state can bestow on a historic structure. Purchase and display of a historical marker is a required component of the RTHL designation process. Because it is a legal designation, owners of RTHL-designated structures must give 60 days notice before any alterations are made to the exterior of the structure. Changes that are unsympathetic may result in removal of the designation and historical marker. There are over 3600 RTHL structures throughout the state.

Contents

Architect Alfred Giles used local brick for the Italianate design. The courthouse was remodeled in the 1930s, when the bricks were plastered over, [2] and again in the 1950s. [3] Giles also designed the Brooks County Courthouse, Fredericksburg Memorial Library, Live Oak County Courthouse, Presidio County Courthouse, Webb County Courthouse as well as courthouses in the counties of Goliad and Kerr. In 1909, Giles designed the facade of the Kendall County Courthouse. [4] He also designed the 1885 Llano County courthouse, which burned down in 1892. [5] [6]

Alfred Giles (architect) architect

Alfred Giles (1853–1920) was a British architect who emigrated to the United States in 1873 at the age of 20. Many of the private homes and public buildings designed by Giles are on the National Register of Historic Places and have been designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. Based in San Antonio, his buildings can be found predominantly in south Texas and northern Mexico. Giles is credited with "a profound influence on architecture in San Antonio."

Italianate architecture 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture

The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture.

Brooks County Courthouse (Texas) United States historic place

Brooks County Courthouse is located in Falfurrias, in the U.S. state of Texas. The structure was designed by Alfred Giles in 1914 in the Classic revival style. Prior to the erection of the brick county courthouse, local government housed itself in rented space. The courthouse was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977. Renovation began on the courthouse in 2006.

Jailhouse Museum

In use until 1974, the white brick and stucco cubic jail was designed in 1887 by James Riely Gordon and built at the NE corner of the square. [7] Contractor B.B. Reid erected the building for $14,000. General living quarters are on the ground floor, with the prisoner cells on the second floor separated from the second-floor bedrooms. Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company manufactured the pre-fab cell blocks. [8]

James Riely Gordon American architect

James Riely Gordon was an architect who practiced in San Antonio until 1902 and then in New York City, where he established a national reputation. J. Riely Gordon is best known for his landmark county courthouses, in particular those in Texas. Working during the state's "Golden Age" (1883–1898) of courthouse construction, Gordon saw 18 of his designs erected from 1885 to 1901; today 12 remain.

The jail is now operated by the Wilson County Historical Society as the Wilson County Jailhouse Museum. [9] [10] Visitors can view the original jail cells. The museum is open the first Saturday of the month and for special events.

See also

Related Research Articles

Wilson County, Texas County in Texas, United States

Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,918. Its county seat is Floresville. The county is named after James Charles Wilson.

Llano County, Texas County in the United States

Llano County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 19,301. Its county seat is Llano, and the county is named for the Llano River.

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Llano County Courthouse and Jail United States historic place

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Fredericksburg Memorial Library United States historic place

The Fredericksburg Memorial Library, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Library or the Old Courthouse, is located at 115 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Designed by Alfred Giles, it was built in 1882 to replace the original 1855 courthouse, and was later superseded by the current 1939 courthouse designed by Edward Stein. The first floor houses the Pioneer Memorial Library, while the second floor functions as community hall. It is often called the McDermott Building because of the 1967 and 1984 restorations funded by Mr. & Mrs. Eugene McDermott. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967.

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Live Oak County Jail United States historic place

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Presidio County Courthouse United States historic place

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Webb County Courthouse (Texas) United States historic place

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Asher and Mary Isabelle Richardson House United States historic place

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Morris Ranch Schoolhouse United States historic place

The Morris Ranch Schoolhouse is a ranch school located on Morris Ranch Road 2093, 8.5 miles (13.7 km) southwest of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981. Designed by Alfred Giles, who also designed the 1882 Fredericksburg Memorial Library, the schoolhouse was built in 1893. Winning thoroughbred trainer Max Hirsch began his career on Morris Ranch and attended classes in the schoolhouse.

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Old McCulloch County Jail United States historic place

The Old McCulloch County Jail is located in Brady, McCulloch County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in McCulloch County, Texas in 1975, and became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1976. In 1963, the Texas Historical Commission designated the geographical center of Texas as being located 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Brady. The old jail became the Heart of Texas Historical Museum in 1974. A granite monument to the center of Texas can be found on the grounds of the McCulloch County Courthouse.

McCulloch County Courthouse United States historic place

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Jeff Davis County Courthouse (Texas) United States historic place

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  2. "Wilson County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  3. "THC-RTHL Wilson Co Courthouse and Jail". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  4. Zelade, Richard (2011). Lone Star Guide to the Texas Hill Country. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 65. ISBN   978-1-58979-609-6.
  5. "THC-1885 Llano County Courthouse". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  6. "Texas Courthouses". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  7. "THC-NRHP Wilson Co". Texas Historic Commission. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  8. Blackburn, Edward A. (2005). Wanted: Historic County Jails of Texas. TAMU Press. p. 357. ISBN   978-1-58544-308-6.
  9. "Wilson County Jailhouse Museum". Wilson County Historical Society. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  10. "Jail House Museum". Floresville Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 28 October 2014.