DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll pass it right along to you. Anderson County was created by the Texas Legislature on March 24, 1846 — named for Kenneth L. Anderson, who had served as Vice President of the Republic of Texas.
Now, you'd think a county named for a man of that stature might start with something grand. But the first court in Anderson County was held in a log house. Out at nearby Fort Houston.
In 1846. That's where justice set up shop. And honestly, there's something fitting about that — the whole story of this courthouse is really a story of Anderson County reaching, again and again, for something more permanent than what it had before.
The first actual courthouse came along in 1847 — a one-story frame structure sitting on the northeast corner of the square. It lasted until 1856, when a two-story brick courthouse replaced it. Brick.
Two stories. That felt like arriving. Then in 1886, a third courthouse went up — also brick, grander still.
And for nearly three decades, it stood as the seat of justice for Anderson County. Then 1913 came along, and fire took it. Just like that.
Gone. Now here's where the story gets interesting — because Anderson County did not skip a beat. The fourth courthouse, the one standing right here today, was built in 1913 and into 1914.
Designed by the Austin architectural firm of Charles Page and Bro., it was dedicated on December 20, 1914. And they did not build small. The building is Beaux-Arts style, with giant order Ionic columns, pedimented porticoes on every single facade, and up top — a dome, surmounted by a statue of Justice herself.
After a major restoration in 1986, that courthouse is still in use. Still the seat of justice for Anderson County. From a log house at Fort Houston to this — that's the arc.
And the people of Anderson County will tell you themselves: it's a source of pride. As it ought to be.
What the marker says
Created by the Texas Legislature on March 24, 1846, Anderson County was named for former Republic of Texas Vice President Kenneth L. Anderson. The first court in the new county was held in a log house at nearby Fort Houston in 1846. The first Anderson County Courthouse, a one-story frame structure, was built in 1847. Located on the northeast corner of the square, it was replaced by a two-story brick courthouse in 1856. A third courthouse, also brick, was completed in 1886 but was destroyed by fire in 1913. The fourth and present Anderson County Courthouse was built in 1913-14. Designed by the Austin architectural firm of Charles Page & Bro., it was dedicated on December 20, 1914. The Beaux-Arts style building features giant order Ionic columns and pedimented porticoes on each facade, and is topped by a dome surmounted by a Justice statue. Still in use as the seat of justice for Anderson County, the courthouse underwent major restoration in 1986. The historically and architecturally significant building serves as a source of pride for county residents. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1988