Somervell County Courthouse

Duane's take

The official marker for the Somervell County Courthouse is the one I'm telling you about right now, and friend, this one earns its keep. Built in 1893, Late Victorian style, native limestone rising up like it means to stay put, which given the history here is exactly the point. Somervell County was organized in 1875, and it was named for General Alexander Somervell, Texas soldier, colonist, and statesman, who lived from 1796 to 1854.

A county with some serious pedigree right there. Now, before this courthouse ever existed, court had to be held somewhere, and that somewhere was an old store sitting across the road from Barnard's Mill. Not exactly the marble halls of justice, but it got the job done.

After that, they graduated to a log cabin, one block west, which was a step up, depending on your standards. Then came the third courthouse, the first one built on this very site, finished in 1882. Solid.

Official. Promising. And then 1893 arrived.

That third courthouse burned. And it didn't just take the building down, it took many valuable records along with it. Years of county history, gone in the fire.

So when they built what stands today, also in 1893, also on that same site, they made sure of one thing. The present structure has a fireproof vault. Some lessons, you only need to learn once.

What the marker says

Built 1893. Late Victorian style. Native limestone construction. County was organized in 1875 and named for General Alexander Somervell (1796-1854), Texas soldier, colonist, and statesman. Court was first held in an old store across road from Barnard's Mill. A log cabin (1 block w) was used later. Third courthouse (first on this site) was finished in 1882 but burned in 1893, along with many valuable records. Present structure has a fireproof vault.