Coryell County Courthouse

The courthouse was designed by architect W. C. Dawson who charged $2267.34 for his work.
The cornerstone for the building was laid on October 2, 1897 (by local Lodge No. 197 A.F. &A.M.).
The cornerstone contains a time capsule with bottles of whiskey and brandy among other artifacts in an 8” x 8” x 8” copper box made by M. C. Bigham.
Final price for construction upon completion was $74,194.69.
The last payment of $8380.25 to builder Tom Lovell was withheld until after a rain so the commissioners could be satisfied that the roof didn’t leak.
When the framework was completed a Scottish mason would climb to the top of the building at the end of the workday to play his bagpipes.
Carved at the end of one of the arches on the east side is an owl instead of a flower (the result of a bet over a bucket of beer).
In 1998, a celebration was held for the centennial of the courthouse. Governor George Bush joined the citizenry and spoke on the south steps.
Our courthouse has been declared the 2nd most beautiful in Texas. It is a grave injustice for which many of us have not fully recovered.

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