Brewster County Courthouse

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, out here in the wide-open heart of Brewster County, there is a courthouse that has been standing its ground since 1887. That's the year Brewster County itself was created; and when a county gets created out here in the Big Bend country, the first order of business is to put up a building that says: we mean it, we're staying.

So they erected that courthouse, and there it stood. But here's the thing about this particular building: it wasn't just serving one county. It was pulling double duty, maybe triple, because it served Buchel County and Foley County both, right up until those areas were added to Brewster County proper.

Think about that for a moment. One courthouse, keeping the law and the records and the business of multiple counties humming along, out in some of the most unforgiving terrain Texas has to offer. Now, a lesser building might've buckled under that kind of responsibility.

This one did not. And today, Courthouse Square is still the community center for various events, still the place where folks gather, still the beating civic heart of the county. Some things in Texas just refuse to step aside.

That courthouse from 1887 is one of them.

What the marker says

Courthouse Building erected in 1887 when Brewster County was created. Served Buchel and Foley County until these areas where added to Brewster County . Courthouse Square still is community center for various events. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. 1965..