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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