McCulloch County Courthouse
Encyclopedia
The McCulloch County Courthouse is located in Brady
, McCulloch County
, in the U.S. state
of Texas
. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in McCulloch County, Texas in 1977, and became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
in 1967.
was laid by the Brady Lodge of the Freemasons
on September 29, 1899. Martin & Moodie of Comanche
are listed as the builders, with no separate name for an architect. When the decision was made in 1899 to erect a new courthouse, Martin & Moodie submitted their proposal and were awarded the contract. The new three-story sandstone courthouse was in the Richardson Romanesque style, and bears some semblance to the style of architect James Riely Gordon
. While the clock tower has areas designed for a clock on each of the four sides, no clock is installed. The courthouse underwent a renovation in 2009, part of which gave the structure a red roof. In both 1936 and 1938, Brady Creek (San Saba River)
overflowed its banks and caused flooding in and around the courthouse.
designated the geographical center of Texas as being located 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Brady
. On the courthouse grounds is a Heart of Texas granite marker designed by Earl V. Finlay. The actual carving and inscription were done in 1958 by Brady native son Gary Bryson. Funding for the 7 in 6 in (2.29 m) monument was provided by the Brady Chamber of Commerce and the McCulloch County Commissioners' Court.
Brady, Texas
Brady is a city in McCulloch County, Texas, United States. Brady refers to itself as "The Heart of Texas", as it is the closest city to the geographical center of the state. The population was 5,523 at the 2000 census...
, McCulloch County
McCulloch County, Texas
McCulloch County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The geographical center of Texas lies within the county. In 2000, its population was 8,205. Its county seat is Brady. McCulloch is named for Benjamin McCulloch, a famous Texas Ranger and Confederate...
, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in McCulloch County, Texas in 1977, and became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
in 1967.
History
This is the second courthouse to serve McCulloch County. The first county building was erected in 1879. The current courthouse was completed in 1900, and the datestoneDatestone
A datestone is typically an embedded stone with the date of engraving and other information carved into it. They are not considered a very reliable source for dating a house, as instances of old houses being destroyed and rebuilt have been reported.Specific locations have often been chosen for...
was laid by the Brady Lodge of the Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
on September 29, 1899. Martin & Moodie of Comanche
Comanche, Texas
Comanche is a city located in Comanche County in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 4,482 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Comanche County. The town square has been renovated and is becoming a popular tourist attraction. With "Star Beaus" and "karens" on the square and their...
are listed as the builders, with no separate name for an architect. When the decision was made in 1899 to erect a new courthouse, Martin & Moodie submitted their proposal and were awarded the contract. The new three-story sandstone courthouse was in the Richardson Romanesque style, and bears some semblance to the style of architect James Riely Gordon
James Riely Gordon
James Riely Gordon was an architect of courthouses throughout the United States and the state of Texas in particular. Gordon's specialty was constructing public buildings mainly in the Romanesque Revival style. His most successful plan was that of a Greek cross with a square central stairwell and...
. While the clock tower has areas designed for a clock on each of the four sides, no clock is installed. The courthouse underwent a renovation in 2009, part of which gave the structure a red roof. In both 1936 and 1938, Brady Creek (San Saba River)
Brady Creek (San Saba River)
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas...
overflowed its banks and caused flooding in and around the courthouse.
Heart of Texas monument
In 1963, the Texas Historical CommissionTexas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
designated the geographical center of Texas as being located 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Brady
Brady, Texas
Brady is a city in McCulloch County, Texas, United States. Brady refers to itself as "The Heart of Texas", as it is the closest city to the geographical center of the state. The population was 5,523 at the 2000 census...
. On the courthouse grounds is a Heart of Texas granite marker designed by Earl V. Finlay. The actual carving and inscription were done in 1958 by Brady native son Gary Bryson. Funding for the 7 in 6 in (2.29 m) monument was provided by the Brady Chamber of Commerce and the McCulloch County Commissioners' Court.