RESOURCES

Architectural History of the Cass County Courthouse

Today the Cass County Courthouse (built 1859-1861) is the only surviving antebellum structure among Texas courthouses still used for its original purpose. Indeed, our courthouse survived by being reclaimed repeatedly by Cass County citizens -- from the effects of two tornadoes and a major fire.

The Cass County Courthouse is also one of the best examples of Greek Revival style architecture in a Texas courthouse. It has not only remained true to this style throughout the years, it has actually taken on more of the important characteristics typical to the form -- for example, the building's traditional doric frieze, temple-front porticoes, and low-sloping red tile roof.

In his scholarly books, Texas Public Buildings of the 19th Century and The People's Architecture, Professor W. B. Robinson details the significance of our courthouse's design and makes the following assessment of the original builder, L. W. Lissenbee:

"It is evident that most antebellum architects in Texas were actually master builders. Perhaps L. W. Lissenbee, of Mount Pleasant, was the epitome of the multitalented master builder... The work of these builders culminates the development of antebellum architecture."

Monday, July 1st 1861; JT Veals Claim of $250.00; Ordered by the Court that JT Veal be and he is hereby allowed the sum of two hundred & fifty dollars extry [sic] on the last payment for the Court House and the County Treasurer is authorized to pay the same out of any moneys in the Court Treasury not otherwise appropriated when the Court House is completed & received by the Chief Justice.: Marginal note: Issued July 8th 1861

Cass County court minutes show the first payment for the new brick courthouse being made in 1860 -- when the initial 400,000 locally-manufactured bricks had been locally made and fired. The court made final payment on the $9,877 construction contract on July 8, 1861, upon verification by Chief Justice Charles Ames that he had indeed inspected and "received" the completed building.

Although the courthouse began life as a Greek Revival structure, it was not until 1917 that the building received the enlarged porticoes on north and south and some of the other high-style Doric elements it bears to this day. In 1917 and 1933, Stewart Moore and Fred Halsey, a collaborative team of designer-engineers then working in Texarkana, guided enlargements to the building. After a devastating fire in 1933 gutted the upper middle of the building, Halsey returned to design and install a robust steel and concrete truss system -- an impressive structural feature which served to stabilize the courthouse. As of today, the building's historic 1934 fabric remains intact and fully recoverable, and our grant application to the Texas Historical Commission seeks full restoration to the courthouse design of 1934.

Page Text Updated: March 1, 2004