Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District Registration Form(Oct. 1990)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
REGISTRATION FORM
NOV 2
NAT. pf;"'^
1. NAME OF PROPERTY
HISTORIC NAME: Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
OTHER NAME/SITE NUMBER: N/A
2. LOCATION
STREET & NUMBER: Area bounded by Pecan, Austin, Walnut, and Cedar streets NOT FOR PUBLICATION: N/A
CITY OR TOWN: Denton VICINITY: N/A
STATE: Texas CODE: TX COUNTY: Denton CODE: 121 ZIP CODE: 76201
3. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this _x_nomination
request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of
Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property
_x_meets does not meet the National Register criteria. 1 recommend that this property be considered significant nationally
I sheet for additional comments.) statewide _x_locally. ( See continii
Signature of certifying official
State Historic Preservation Officer, Texas Historical Commission
State or Federal agency and bureau
In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria.
( See continuation sheet for additional comments.)
Date
Signature of commenting or other official Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
4. NATIOj>^AL PARK SERVICE CERTIFICATION
1 herakn' certify that this property is:
entered in the National Register
_ See continuation sheet,
determined eligible for the National Register
_ See continuation sheet,
determined not eligible for the National Register
removed from the National Register
other (explain):
Date of Actior
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District, Denton, Denton County, Texas Page 2
5. CLASSIFICATION
OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY: Private, Public-local
CATEGORY OF PROPERTY: District
NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY: CONTRIBUTING NONCONTRIBUTING
27
1
1
1
19 BUILDINGS
SITES
STRUCTURES
1 OBJECTS
30 20 TOTAL
NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES PREVIOUSLY LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER: 1
NAME OF RELATED MULTIPLE PROPERTY LISTING: Historic and Architectural Resources of Denton, Texas,
1882-1949
6. FUNCTION OR USE
HISTORIC FUNCTIONS: COMMERCE/business, specialty store, department store, financial institution,
restaurant; GOVERNMENT/courthouse; RECREATION AND CULTURE/theater, monument;
LANDSCAPE/plaza; SOCIAL/ meeting hall;
CURRENT FUNCTIONS: COMMERCE/business, specialty store, department store, financial insfitution,
restaurant; GOVERNMENT/courthouse; RECREATION AND CULTURE/theater, monument;
LANDSCAPE/plaza
7. DESCRIPTION
ARCHITECTURAL CLASSIFICATION: OTHER: 1-part commercial block; OTHER: 2-part commercial block;
LATE VICTORIAN: Romanesque; LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN
MOVEMENTS: Chicago; MODERN MOVEMENT: Art Deco
MATERIALS: FOUNDATION CONCRETE, STONE
WALLS BRICK, STONE, WOOD, STUCCO
ROOF ASPHALT, SLATE
OTHER GLASS, CONCRETE, CERAMIC TILE
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION (see continuation sheets 7-5 through 7-16).
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-OO1B
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 5 Denton, Denton County, Texas
Summary
The Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District contains a high concentration of properties
that represent significant aspects of the economic, physical, and governmental development of the city. With
a spectacular courthouse dominating the center of the square, the surrounding streets are lined with
commercial buildings representing several phases in the economic development of the city. These commercial
properties are typical of those found throughout the state and illustrate the development of commercial
buildings from the late nineteenth century through the World War II period. The majority of the properties are
one-part or two-part commercial buildings constructed of brick. There are, however, examples of other types
of buildings including a theater and a "temple front" bank. Although the earliest buildings date to 1882, many
of the properties reflect typical alterations made to commercial properties during the 1920s and 1930s. As the
majority of the properties serve a commercial function, they have received alterations over the years to reflect
the changing nature of retail businesses. These changes illustrate the physical evolution of buildings within
the business district and reflect the changing nature of commerce throughout the twentieth century.
Contributing properties, however, still retain sufficient character defining elements to convey a visual sense of
the historic environment. The district is composed of 50 properties of which 30 are contributing and 20 are
noncontributing including 46 buildings, 2 objects, 1 site, and 1 structure. The Denton County Courthouse
Square Historic District retains sufficient integrity for listing under Criterion A in the areas of politics
/government, commerce, and community and regional development at the local level of significance.
Setting
The Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District (map 1, page 24) is located within the center
of the original town plan. The 1896 Romanesque Revival Courthouse (NR 1977) dominates the square both
by its architectural form and its setting within the central block (figure I). Selected as the county seat in 1856,
the plan for the city's core utilized the Shelbyville Square plan, the most common layout for county seats in
Texas during this period (figure 2). The courthouse square, situated on a small promontory, is bounded by
Elm Street on the west, Oak Street on the north. Locust Street on the east and Hickory Street on the south. At
each of the intersections surrounding the courthouse square are smaller, one-quarter blocks. Hickory Street
slopes down steeply to the east of the square as does Locust and Elm streets to the north. As is so common for
county seats, the courthouse square became the hub of the transportation network through town as the major
highways in Denton intersected on the courthouse square. The Texas and Pacific railroad tracks are located
just east of the downtown area.
Commercial buildings surround the courthouse on all four sides of the square. Both one-part and two-
part commercial blocks are well-represented within the district. The commercial buildings define the outer
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval NO- 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 6 Denton, Denton County, Texas
perimeter of the courthouse square and uniformly line the sidewalks. The only break in this wall of buildings
is one narrow, empty lot along North Elm Street, the result of a recent building loss through fire. The
consistent use of the two-part and one-part commercial block typology presents a similarity in massing and
fenestration pattern throughout the district. These commercial buildings form a backdrop to the courthouse
square and define the open green space surrounding the courthouse. As a result, the Denton County
Courthouse Square still maintains the appearance, feeling and setting of a typical courthouse square in Texas.
The earliest surviving residential district in the city lies to the west of the downtown area along
merchants and businessmen constructed large homes along these streets, many of which still survive today
(designated a local historic district). Further to the west is located the campus of the University of North
Texas; the campus of Texas Woman's University is situated to the north of the downtown area. The earliest
industrial section of town is located to the east and to the south of the courthouse square historic district along
the railroad tracks, including the old Morrison Milling Company.
Denton County Courthouse and Grounds
Designed by W. C. Dodson, construction of the courthouse began in 1895 and was completed by 1897
(figure 1). The importance of this courthouse was recognized by its designation as a Recorded Texas Historic
Landmark in 1970 and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The courthouse was also
designated at the local level in 1982. Representing the apogee of Dodson's career, this three story
Romanesque Revival courthouse is constructed of cream-colored limestone and gray sandstone accented by
polychrome red sandstone and pink granite columns. Essentially square in plan, the courthouse features three
monumental entrances (on the south, west and east) marked by projecting pavilions with paired columns on
each floor terminating in a massive pediment. At each of the corners, canted entrances are located within a
turret-like structure opened up with balconies on each floor and capped with an enclosed attic story and a
mansard dome. A massive, central tower crowned with a dome is encircled with an open balcony supporting
four smaller mansard domes, echoing those at the building's corners. The rich vocabulary of the building
creates a picturesque skyline and marks the center of the town.
The courthouse received only minor alterations over the years, including the installation of an elevator
in 1949 within the center of the rotunda, the enclosure of the district court's mezzanine gallery for additional
office space in 1955 and the closure of the south entrance in 1965. During a restoration completed in 1987, all
of these alterations were reversed. In 1978 many county offices including the courts moved to a new building
two blocks west of the square in the Joseph A. Carroll Courts Building. A new county courthouse annex,
constructed in 1998, houses many of the administrative offices of the county and is located several miles from
the square on East McKinney. The old county courthouse continues to be used for offices and commissioners
court meetings, as well as the location for the Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum.
NPS Form 10-900-3 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 7 Denton, Denton County, Texas
The grounds of the courthouse contains two commemorative war monuments. Located on the
southern edge of the courthouse square near the outer sidewalk on Hickory Street, the Katie Daffan Chapter of
the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a memorial (figure 3) to the Confederate dead in June of
1918 (item A on map 1). Spanning the sidewalk leading up to the courthouse, the monument is constructed of
rusticated pink granite forming a Romanesque arch crowned with a pediment and surmounted by a full-size
sculpture of a soldier in Confederate uniform. Each side of the base of the arch contains a small water
fountain below which are inscribed the dates of'T 861" on the left and "1865' on the right. Memorial
inscriptions further describe the purpose of the monument. This object is contributing to the district.
A much later war memorial commemoradng the fallen from all wars (All-War Memorial) is located
nearer the courthouse on the southwest lawn (item C on map 1). Constructed of rusticated granite, a concave
wall with a bronze relief in the center is flanked at either end by a polished granite column with Corinthian
capitals. The bronze relief on the southwest elevation contains images of a candle, bowl, open book with
quotes from the Bible and images of plows, pruning hooks, swords and a train. The back of the monument
includes an engraved stone indicating the purpose of the monument and its dedication date of May 25, 1996.
As this monument is not yet fifty years of age, it is noncontributing to the district.
The southeast grounds of the courthouse lawn contains the gravesite of Colonel John Denton, for
whom the county and the city are named (item B on map 1). A concrete slab inscribed "JNO B. DENTON"
sets atop the grave which is surrounded by a wrought iron fence which is a contributing site to the district. At
the head of the grave is a 1936 Texas Centennial marker commemorating Denton and his role in Texas
history. The remains of Denton were re-interred by the Old Settlers Association in November of 1901.
Surrounding the courthouse at the edge of the street and leading up to the courthouse on all four sides
are concrete sidewalks constructed with funds from the Works Progress Administration between 1935 and
1936. The source of funding is inscribed within the outer sidewalk at regular intervals. These sidewalks are a
contributing structure within the district as they represent an important feature of the courthouse grounds and
are representative of the type of federal projects utilized during the Depression in Denton. The courthouse
grounds also include various markers not generally eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places. These include a polished granite stone near the south entrance inscribed with the dates of the
restoration of the courthouse (1985-1987) and the individuals involved in the project; Texas Historical
Commission subject marker for the City of Denton located near the grave of John Denton; and a bronze tablet
mounted on a concrete pedestal at the northwest comer of the grounds commemorating the creation of Denton
County and the City of Denton. A Texas Recorded Texas Historical Marker and medallion (1970) and a
National Register plaque (1977) are mounted on the wall of the courthouse near the cornerstone on the north
elevation.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 8 Denton, Denton County, Texas
Physical Characteristics of the District
The late nineteenth century Denton County Courthouse dominates the district in its central location
on the square. Designed by W.C. Dodson in 1895, the three-stor>' Romanesque courthouse looms over the
rest of the buildings around the square. As the site of county government, the location of the courthouse gave
impetus to the commercial development around the courthouse square. As was typical for developing towns,
the original buildings around the square were log buildings soon supplanted by one and two story frame
buildings. The district witnessed intense development during the 1880s, but a series of fires in the late
nineteenth century, affecting each of the blocks, destroyed most of these buildings. As a result, the district
contains a limited number of resources from this period. Many of these, however, were modernized during
the early twentieth century. As a result, only seven buildings retain their original facades from this period: the
Denton County Courthouse (1895-1896; figure I); 122 N. Locust (Paschall Building, c. 1875; photo 6); 200
N. Locust (Wright Opera House, 1899; photo 4), 123 N. Elm (Scripture Building, 1882; photo 5), 120-124 W.
Oak (c.1890), 118 W. Oak (c.l890), and 207 N. Elm (1878). All of these buildings, except the Paschall
Building, are contributing to the district. The Paschall Building and the Scripture Building sfill retain the cast-
iron pilasters.
Most of the buildings within the district date between 1882 and 1930. Neither one-part nor two-part
commercial buildings predominate although the vast majority of one-part commercial buildings are located on
the south and east sides of the square whereas the two-part commercial building type dominates the west and
north sides of the square. Brick is the predominant construction material. Although a few brick buildings are
painted, most received this treatment during the period of significance (the City over-hauled its tax records in
1946 at which time a photograph was taken of each individual building). The most common alterations to
buildings are a modernization of the storefront, most commonly the use of aluminum frame plate glass
windows, the application of a modern material to the ground floor surrounding the base of the storefront, or
the covering of transoms. Many of the buildings within the district received such changes to their storefronts
just prior to or following World War II. As these modifications are more than fifty years old and yield
important information on the historical evolution of commerce in Denton, such alterations to the facades are
considered contributing to the district.
Although seven contemporary buildings are located within the district, they do not significantly detract
from the historical character of the area. Historically plagued by fires, the courthouse square lost three of its
resources in 1994 at the corner of Elm and Hickory streets. Two of these lots are now occupied by a new
building sympathetic in scale and use of materials. The least sympathetic addition to the downtown is an 8-
story bank on the southeast corner of the district. Its placement at the southeasternmost edge of the district
does not adversely impact the overall scale and rhythm of the courthouse square. The other five contemporary
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 9 Denton, Denton County, Texas
buildings are interspersed amidst the district and continue the scale, if not the use of materials, as the other
buildings within the district.
The buildings along W. Oak Street along the northern edge of the district (photo 1) are all two-part
commercial buildings dating primarily from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (figure 5). This
side of the square was the least affected by fire with the west end destroyed in 1881 and the east end burned in
1887. All of the buildings, however, have received some type of minor alteration to the storefronts. Several
of the buildings now contain modern window frames on the second floor, but the configuration and
fenestration patterning of the original openings remains. Unfortunately, two of the buildings on this block
(110 and 112 W. Oak) are slip-cased with a concrete veneer and are noncontributing although the buildings
behind them date from the period of significance. Despite the alterations, the block retains its overall massing,
rhythm, design, and second floor architectural features which contribute to sufficient integrity of feeling,
association and setting of the period of significance.
The east side of the square along N. Locust Street is composed primarily of one-part commercial
buildings flanked at either end by two-story buildings. One of the oldest surviving buildings on the square,
known as the Paschall Building (C.l 882; photo 6), is located at the northern end of the block. This two-part
commercial building retains its original cast-iron pilasters and architectural detailing, although it has received
extensive alterations to the ground floor storefront and the application of stucco to the second floor. A fire in
1890 destroyed all of the buildings on this side of the square with the exception of the Paschall Building.
Most of the block was rebuilt between 1890 and 1910 as one-part commercial buildings. Many of the
storefronts, however, received modifications to modernize their storefronts with the most common alteration
being the introduction of aluminum frame plate glass display windows and aluminum frame glass doors. The
introduction of plate glass windows occurred during the period of significance. The building at 118-120 N.
Locust (1913; photo 7) is an excellent example of this type which has received very few alterations. It retains
all of its exterior features including transoms, awning, unpainted parapet, storefront footprint, and the wooden
front doors. The aluminum frame plate glass windows were installed at a later date, but within the period of
significance. This occurred when the McCrory's Variety Store purchased the building in 1941. Four of the
buildings on this block received unsympathetic alterations to the entire facade. The southern edge of the block
is anchored by the Denton County Nafional Bank Building (1913; photo 9), an outstanding example of a
temple front building type. Restored in 1996, energy-efficient windows were installed, but they carefully
retained the original fenestration pattern and configuration. A steep grade along Oak and Hickory streets to
the east results in all of these building containing a basement to the backs of the buildings (thus, the rear of
these buildings contain one additional story not visible from their fronts).
The south side of the district (Hickory Street) contains the fewest number of contributing properties
than any other side of the square (photo 2). Although all but two of the buildings date from the period of
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 10 Denton, Denton County, Texas
significance, many buildings received extensive alterations and modificafions including the use of new
materials over the historic building facade and the installation of inappropriate storefronts. All of the
buildings except two are one-part commercial block buildings. This block does, however, contain the Evers
Building which has retained more of its original features than any other single commercial building in the
district.
The Evers Building is an outstanding example of commercial architecture from the early twentieth century
with Chicago School influences evident in the windows of the second floor and the retention of its original
storefront with a recessed entry. Noncontributing buildings along Hickory Street do convey the same scale,
setback, massing and function as the other buildings in the district. Although they do not contribute to the
district, they do not detract from the overall feel and character of the district.
Conflagrations most severely impacted the west side of the square along N. Elm Street (photo 3). The
earliest documented fire swept through the entire block in 1860 and fires continued to the plague this side of
the square in 1860, 1877. 1881, 1887, 1895 and, most recently, in 1994. Most of the buildings, however, sfill
date from the period of significance and the block retains sufficient integrity to convey the sense of feeling,
setting and association with the economic development of the courthouse square. The block contains a variety
of contributing buildings dafing from the 1880s through the 1930s. The building on the south end of the block
is the most recent building within the district, dating from only 1996. Built in a contemporary style
reminiscent of the period, it is obviously not a historical building as indicated by the date of the building
emblazoned across the front. A two-part commercial building, it features a turret at the corner and maintains
the scale of other buildings around the square. A small, empty lot separates this building from the rest of the
block and is landscaped as an urban park. Except for the buildings at 109-111 Elm, the buildings along this
block are two-part commercial buildings and include a theater from the 1930s. One of the oldest buildings on
the block, the Scripture Building (photo 5), is located at the north end of the street.
At the intersections of the courthouse square are smaller, quarter blocks which mark the transition
away from the downtown district into the surrounding areas. Such corner lots were often favored locations for
city halls, banks and opera houses as their smaller size sets them apart from the rest of the buildings around
the square and emphasize the importance of buildings located at these intersections. The design of the
courthouse addressed these corner blocks by the inclusion of secondary doors in each of the comers covered
by porches. One of the most important buildings, the Wright Opera House (photo 4), is located on the
northeast corner block. Although it has received alterations over the years, including the painting of its brick
and the installation of a new storefront, most of these alterations were made during the period of significance.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 11 Denton. Denton County, Texas
Methodology for the Evaluation of Individual Buildings within the District
This district as a whole was evaluated using the following considerations: the area contained a high
concentration properties that retain a high degree of integrity, giving the district a sense of continuity; there
exists little contemporary in-fiU to intrude upon the proposed district with modern construction located at the
edges of the district; and the proposed district reflects significant aspects of the historical development of
Denton. According to the National Register guidelines, for a district to retain integrity as a whole, the
majority of the components that make up the district's historic character must posses integrity even if they are
individually undistinguished. In addition, the relationships among the district's components must be
substantially unchanged sine the period of significance.
The evaluation of a commercial district is made difficult by the economic necessity to modernize
storefronts so an area can maintain its economic viability. In order to provide clarification on how a building
was determined contributing or noncontributing. a chart was prepared containing the essential characteristics
of small-scale commercial buildings based on a model first used by Hardy Heck Moore of Austin Texas in the
Henderson Commercial Historic District. As it is not necessary for a district nominated under Criterion A to
retain all seven aspects of integrity, it was determined which aspects of integrity were the most important in
conveying the district's significance. Integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association were determined to
be absolutely essential in determining integrity of the individual resources. All of the buildings within the
district maintain their integrity of location so this aspect was not included within the chart. If a building
lacked setting, feeling or association, it was automatically considered noncontributing.
Furthermore, the individual components of design, materials, and workmanship were broken down
within the chart and a building's facade was considered as consisting of two parts - the lower section
containing the storefront and the upper section featuring either a full second floor or the upper part of a one-
part commercial block. These sub-categories include fenestration pattem of the ground floor; materials within
the storefront (ground floor), fenestration pattern of upper floors; materials used within the upper floors or
upper part of the facade, parapet, architectural ornament or detailing, and overall massing, form and plan (i.e.,
design). This criteria was vigorously applied to each of the buildings within the district. Buildings which
lacked a majority of the elements of design, materials, and workmanship were considered noncontributing,
even if they retained a sense of association, setting and feeling. Non-historic buildings are not included in the
chart as they are noncontributing by virtue of their being less than 50 years of age.
Many alterations which one might assume would adversely affect a property's integrity were actually
applied during the period of significance. The Denton City Tax Records contain photographs of all buildings
taken in 1946 during a massive re-assessment of property values following World War II. These photographs
and the accompanying descriptions of buildings were invaluable in determining whether an alteration was
NPS Fonn 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 7 Page 12 Denton. Denton County, Texas
made during the period of significance. Any alterations securely documented as occurring before 1949 were
considered to be historic changes to the building and do not adversely affect the building's integrity. The
illustrations accompanying the representative property type descriptions below include examples of these
1946 photographs in conjunction with a current photograph of the property.
Common alterations to buildings resulting in their noncontributing status include extensive post-1949
alterations to both the storefront and the upper section of the facade and the application of entirely new
materials to a facade that destroy the original fenestration pattern and storefront rhythm (104 N. Locust); the
extensive use of stucco or other new materials in addition to major alterations to the storefront (105 W.
Hickory and 122 N. Locust); and the replacement of character-defining architectural elements in conjunction
with alterations to the storefront (110 W. Oak). The application of a new covering over the entire facade, such
as the concrete panels which encase the historic facades of 104-106 West Oak and 112 West Oak, presents a
drastic alterafion of the building that dramatically affects its integrity.
Evalnatioii of Hlitoric Rctonrca Within the Denton Coonty Courthouse Historic District
DtiigB Materlali Dealtn and
Worknantkip
Addrsu AnodeHon Setting Storerront •bTttam Feoeitntion
Patten 2id
Floor
MaailDi,
Foim, Plan
Matarlali
Storefront
Matarlala
Upper
Part
Parapet OnuDMiit
AMaUng
Fedlni C or
NC
Statni
Nocth Side of Courthoiue Sqiure
204-206 N. Elm Yci YO. Yei NA Yet Yea Ye. Yea Yet Yet C
120-124 W. Otk Yei Yee No No Yea Yea Yet Yei Yci Yet C
118 W. (ML Yci Yet No Yee Yea No Yei Yea Yet Yet C
116 W. Oik Yet Yet No Yea Yea No No No No Yee NC
112 W. 0«k No Yee No No No No No No No No NC
HOW, Oak Yei Yee No Yee Yet No Yei No No Yei NC
108 W. Otk Yci Yee No Yea Yet No Yet Yea Yei Yet C
104-106 W. Oik No Yd No No No No No No No No NC
100-102 W. OA Yei Yee Yet Yc* Yet No Yet Yea Yet Yet C
Noftheut Comer of Couithoiue Squuc
200 N. Locuit Yet Yc. No Yea Yea Yei Yet Yet Yet Yet c
But Side at Courthoiue Square
122 N. Lonut Yet Yet Yet Yet No No No No No Yet NC
108E.O*k YM Yei Yci Yea Yei Yei Yet No Yei Yet C
118-120 N. Locuit Yei Yee Yet NA Yet Yet Yea Yea Yet Yet C
116 N. Locuit Yet Yei No NA Yei No Yet Yea Yet Yei c
114 N. Locuit Yet Yee No NA Yet No Yet Yea Yet Yei c
110-112 N. Locuit Yet Yei No NA No No No No No Yei NC
108 N. Locuit Yci Yei Yee NA Yet Yea Yet Yet Yet Yei C
106 N. Locuit Yet Yet No NA Yei No Yet No No Yei NC
104 N. Locuit Yet Yet No NA No No No No No No NC
102 N, Locuit YM Yet No NA Yea No No Yei No Yei NC
100 N. Locuit Yet Yet Yoi Yea Yea Yet Yei Yea Yea Yet C
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Evaluation of Historic Resources WitUn the Denton County Courthouse Historic District
Dtil|n Matarlala Deal|n and
Workmanthlp
Addrcaa Aaaodatlaa Setnnj Storefront
RhTthm
Fcaaatntloa
Pattem 2ad
Floor
Haiilnt,
Fom, Plan
Hatcrlali
Storefront
Malirlalt
Upper
Part
Parapet Omanicat
/DctalUaf
FcdlBl C ar
NC
BtatBi
South Side of Counhouie Square
103 W. KclLory No Yei No Yet No No Yei No No No NC
107 W. Hickory Yea Yet Yei NA Yei No No Yea No Yei C
109 W. Hickory Yea Yet Yei Yet Yei Yet Yei Ye. Yea Yea C
113-117 W. Hickory Yet Yei Yet NA Yet Yei Yet Yea Ye. Yei c
119 W. Hickory Yet Yet Yat NA Yei No Yei Yea Yea Yee c
121 W. Hickory No Yei No NA No No Yei Yee No No NC
SouhMtea Comer Bock of Q>arthouteS<faue
207 W. Hickory Yet Yet No Yea Yet No Yet Yea Yea Yea C
209 W. Hickory Yea Yei Yet Yea Yet No Yet Yei Yea Yea C
Wett Side Of Courtboute Squan
113 N. Elm YCI Yet Yei Yet Yet No Yet Yet Yc* Yei C
117 N. Elm Yei Yet No Yet Yet No Yet Yet Yea Yei c
119N. Ehs Yet Yet Yet Yet Yet No Yei Yea Yea Yei c
123 N . Elm Yet Yd Yet Yet Yet Yet Yei Yet Yea Yea c
207-209 W. Oak No Yei No No No No No No Yea No NC
Nofthweat Cortier Block of Comthoute Square
200-204 N. Elm Yet Yet Yet NA Yei Yet Yei Yei Yea Yei c
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NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
0MB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 7 Page 15
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Inventory of Properties in the
Denton Count>' Courthouse Square Historic District
Address Date Alterations Building Type C/NC Status
Courthouse Square
County Courthouse 1895-1897 1987 Romanesque Revival listed NR 1977
Confederate Monument 1918 object (A on map) contributing
J. Denton gravesite 1901 site (B on map) contributing
All War Memorial 1996 object (C on map) noncontributing
WPA sidewalks 1935-1936 structure (D on map) contributing
Commercial Buildings
105N. Elm 1996 non-historic (two-part) noncontributing
109 N. Elm 1955 non-historic (one-part) noncontributing
111 N. Elm 1955 non-historic (one-part) noncontributing
115N. Elm 1890 1925;1960s two-part commercial contributing
117N. Elm 1890 1946; 1952 two-part commercial contributing
119N. Elm 1895 1921;1952 two-part commercial contributing
123 N. Elm 1882 c.l 940; 1976 two-part commercial contributing
204-206 N. Elm 1912 one-part commercial contributing
205 N. Elm 1921 1931;1980s one-part commercial contributing
207 N. Elm 1898 two-part commercial contributing
101 W. Hickory c.l 975 non-historic (one-part) noncontributing
105 W. Hickory 1885 1933;1970s two-part commercial noncontributing
107 W. Hickory 1885 1925; 1947; 197 one-part commercial contributing
109 W. Hickory 1913 two-part commercial contribudng
111-113 W. Hickory c.1975 non-historic (one-part) noncontributing
115-117 W. Hickory C.1885 1920; 1947; 196
n«:
one-part commercial contribudng
119 W. Hickory 1886 c.l 980 one-part commercial contributing
121 W. Hickory 1920 1992 one-part commercial noncontributing
207 W. Hickory 1915 1980s two-part commercial contributing
209 W. Hickory 1946 two-part commercial contributing
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
0MB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Secdon 7 Page 16
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Address Date Alterations Building Type C/NC Status
100 N. Locust 1913 1937; 1996 temple front contributing
102 N. Locust c.l 900 1918;1949;197
n<;
one-part commercial noncontributing
104 N. Locust 1898 1929; 1949; 198
n<:
one-part commercial noncontributing
106 N. Locust 1946
y i>
1960s one-part commercial noncontributing
108 N. Locust 1900 1947; 1960s one-part commercial contribudng
110-112 N. Locust 1890 1940; 1960s one-part commercial noncontributing
114N. Locust 1892 1942; 1949 one-part commercial contributing
116N. Locust 1900 1945 one-part commercial contributing
118-120 N. Locust 1901 1913 one-part commercial contributing
122 N. Locust 1882 1975 two-part commercial noncontributing
200 N. Locust 1899 1938; 1960s two-part commercial contributing
101 S. Locust 1980 non-historic (high-rise) noncontributing
107 E. Oak c.1975 non-historic (one-part) noncontributing
108 E. Oak 1945 two-part commercial contributing
100-102 W. Oak 1927-1928 1957;1995 two-part commercial contributing
104-106 W. Oak 1886-1891 1907; 1948 one-part commercial noncontributing
108 W. Oak 1890 c. 1923;c.l960 two-part commercial contributing
now. Oak 1885 1980s two-part commercial noncontributing
112 W. Oak 1882 1970s two-part commercial noncontributing
116W. Oak c.1885 1947;c.l960 one-part commercial noncontributing
118 W. Oak c.1885 1947;c.l960 two-part commercial contributing
120-124 W. Oak c.1890 c.l 960 two-part commercial contributing
200-204 W. Oak 1885 1931;1980s one-part commercial contributing
207-09 W. Oak 1891 1996 one-part commercial noncontributing
208 W. Oak 1890 1919;1946 two-part commercial contributing
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District, Denton, Denton county, Texas Page 3
8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
APPLICABLE NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA
X A PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BROAD
PATTERNS OF OUR HISTORY.
_ B PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIVES OF PERSONS SIGNIFICANT IN OUR PAST.
C PROPERTY EMBODIES THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF
CONSTRUCTION OR REPRESENTS THE WORK OF A MASTER, OR POSSESSES HIGH ARTISTIC VALUE, OR
REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT AND DISTINGUISHABLE ENTITY WHOSE COMPONENTS LACK INDIVIDUAL
DISTINCTION.
_ D PROPERTY HAS YIELDED, OR IS LIKELY TO YIELD, INFORMATION IMPORTANT IN PREHISTORY OR HISTORY.
CRITERIA CONSIDERATIONS: N/A
AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE: COMMERCE, COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1882-1949
SIGNIFICANT DATES: 1882, 1887, 1890, 1895, 1895-1897, 1901, 1902
SIGNIFICANT PERSON: N/A
CULTURAL AFFILIATION: N/A
ARCHITECT/BUILDER:
NARRATIVE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (see condnuadon sheets 8-17 through 8-41).
9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY (see continuation sheets 9-42 through 9-45).
PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION ON FILE (NPS): N/A
_ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested.
X previously listed in the National Register
_ previously determined eligible by the National Register
_ designated a National Historic Landmark
_ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey #
_ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #
PRIMARY LOCATION OF ADDITIONAL DATA:
X State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission)
_ Other state agency
_ Federal agency
X Local government — Denton County Deed Records; Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum
X University ~ University of North Texas; Texas Woman's University
_ Other — Specify Repository:
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 17 Denton, Denton County, Texas
SECTION 8
Summary
The city of Denton's role as the center of government for Denton County encouraged the early growth
of commerce in an area based largely on an agricultural economy. The arrival of the railroad ensured the
economic survival of the city as Denton became the transportation center for the agricultural economy of the
outlying areas, and merchants and industries established businesses to serve the surrounding farm
communities. As the city's own image began to emerge, the location of several institutions of higher
education further enhanced the economic development of the courthouse square as businesses catering to a
new segment of the population began to transform the downtown area. Transportation continued to be of
great significance to the development of the downtown area as new roads and an interurban linked Denton to
the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The economy of Denton slowl>' evolved from one based on agriculture to
that of a modern, suburban city. The appearance of the courthouse square underwent numerous
transfomiations, fueled by frequent conflagrations as well as changes in fashion, although elements of many of
the main periods are today represented in the downtown area. The Denton County Courthouse Square
Historic District is nominated under Criterion A at the local level of significance in the areas of govemmenL
commerce, and community planning and development.
Selected as the county seat in 1856, a 100 acre tract donated by Hiram Cisco, William Loving, and
William Woodruff slowly evolved into the governmental center of the county. William Woodruff, Charles
Christian Lacy and Otis Welch platted the townsite with street names given after the names of trees in the
county. The county auctioned lots in 1857 with most lots selling for $25 to $35. The original townsite
consisted of 33 blocks, with a public square in the center, roughly bounded by McKinney Street on the north.
Cedar Street on the west. Highland on the south and the cuirent railroad tracks on the east. The surveyors
utilized the Shelbyville square model (figure 2) for the new county seat, with narrow blocks facing the square
on all four sides. The first courthouse, however, was sited on the north side of the square rather than the
center of the square. The initial plat created smaller, one-quarter size blocks in each of the angles of the
square. Located at the intersections of the square, these blocks became highly valuable for their exposure to
traffic and were popular sites for hotels and banks All but the northeast block fully developed by the early
1870s.
A community gradually emerged around the new county seat based on agriculture and stock raising.
The city incorporated in September of 1866. but by 1870 the populadon was only 361. Wooden buildings
began springing up around the courthouse square to provide space for law offices, dry goods stores, saloons,
liveries, and hotels. These types of businesses underscore the importance of Denton as the county seat.
NPS Form 10-90C-a 0MB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 18 Denton, Denton County, Texas
providing the necessary services to a rural population who traveled to the small town primarily for trading, the
filing of deeds, and to vote. A photograph from 1874 depicts simple frame buildings with gabled roofs hidden
behind raised parapets (figure 4). In these early years of development, it was not uncommon to find livery
stables and residences located directly on the square. The east side of the square developed last and remained
vacant until after 1870 when a new sandstone jail was constructed. The center of the courthouse square,
however, remained empty and uncleared of brush. The Civil War hindered any additional commercial
development in Denton. Although there were very few slaves in Denton County, the fear of slave
insurrections ignited by numerous fires throughout North Texas fueled a vote in favor of secession. A fire in
July of 1860 was at first attributed to abolitionists, but was later found to be accidental. This was but the first
of numerous conflagrations which would plague the city throughout its developments.
The first courthouse (1857) in Denton, a two-story frame building located in middle of the north block
of the square, was destroyed in a fire in 1875 resulting in the loss of most of the county's records.' County
commissioners constructed a new two story, brick courthouse in center of the public square at a cost of
$40,000." Completed in 1876, the new Italianate courthouse with a central clock tower featured a district
courtroom on the second floor. J.H. Britton, a master builder who later worked on such courthouses as the El
Paso County Courthouse (designed by Alfred Giles), built the new courthouse.'' The brick construction
proved a wise choice by the commissioners as fire consumed the entire south side of the square in January of
1877.^ Moreover, the construction of a new courthouse resulted in the establishment of the Bushey Brick
Plant, thus making brick available for the construction of new buildings and residences elsewhere in the city.'
Two fires in 1877 consumed all of the south side of the square and most of the buildings along the west side.
The demand for brick necessitated additional brick plants and the Fastorff Brothers established one to meet the
city's needs for a more substantial building material.
By 1880, the population of Denton tripled to 1,194 as the anticipation of the impending arrival of the
railroad spurred commercial development. The arrival of the railroad in 1881 quickly transformed the
agricultural economy of the county from one of subsistence to cash crops. With adequate transportation now
available, cotton and wheat became important cash crops for the area , encouraging such local industries as the
Davenport Mill, established in 1878. As the farmers in the area flourished, so did the merchants who
established numerous dry good stores and groceries in Denton. By the end of the 1880s, the town boasted 2
dry goods stores, at least 3 groceries, 3 hardware store, a furniture store, numerous saloons, a furniture store.
' Welch, The Texas Courthouse , 285.
- Welch, The Te.xas Courthouse, 285.
' Willard Robinson, Gone From Te.xas (College Station: Texas A&M Press, 1982), 229.
•* Lowry (comp.), Preservation Plan , 10.
5 Lowry (comp.). Preservation Plan , 8.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 19 Denton, Denton County, Texas
and even an opera house. The tracks of the MK&T were located a few blocks to the east of the courthouse
square. The downtown area began expanding towards the north during the 1880s with the establishment of a
small cluster of buildings including the new jail, the First Christian Church and the Lacy Blacksmith shop. A
small row of houses, extending along McKinney Street four to five blocks, defined the northern edge of town.
The area south of the downtown area along S. Elm (called Sand Street at that time) became the fashionable
address for merchants and law>'ers.
The north side of the square (figure 5) witnessed a re-building after a fire in 1881 destroyed the west
end of the block. In the middle of the block, four two-story brick buildings were constructed containing law
offices on the upper floors and various stores and the First National Bank on the ground floors. By the 1880s,
all of the lots on the west side of the square were filled (figure 6). Only two buildings on this block survive
from this period due to later fires including the Scripture Building at the north end of the block and the shell of
an older Opera House. Although damaged by fire in the 1890s (1893 and 1895), the Fine Arts Theater
contains the remnants of an earlier building still visible from the alley. The re-building of the south side of the
square (figure 7) occurred after a fire consumed most of it in 1881, although none of these buildings survive
today. The Finer Building at the east end of the block survived this fire but was demolished in the 1970s, and
the Evers Building was rebuilt in 1913 following yet another fire. The McCrary Building, occupied by
Greenlee Dry Goods store, was one of the first brick buildings constructed on the square. The east side of the
square was also entirely destroyed by a series of fires in the 1880s except for the Paschall Building,
constructed in 1882 at the northern end of the block.
These early buildings were two-part commercial block buildings and many utilized cast-iron
architectural features in the cornices and columns. Many building owners added cast-iron details, such as
cornices, to update and modernize their simple, brick buildings. The arrival of the railroad made possible the
importation of these manufactured building components from urban centers such as St. Louis and Chicago.
Thought to be fire-proof iron appealed to the merchants of Denton who had witnessed at least seven major
fires between 1860 and 1882. In 1881 alone, the western portion of the north block and the middle half of the
south block burned, representing almost one-quarter of all of the buildings in the downtown area.
The construction of a new courthouse in 1895 stimulated additional building on the courthouse square.
Designed by W.C. Dodson. this monumental courthouse with its central clock tower and comer pavilions with
mansard roofs, dominated the architecture of the town (figure 1). James Riely Gordon of San Antonio was
originally selected to design the new courthouse, but was replaced by W.C. Dodson.^ Despite the termination
of Gordon, the Denton County Commissioners Court still insisted on the use of the Romanesque Revival style
expressed in the heavy rustication, rounded arches, and turrets of the new courthouse. But Dodson also
James Riely Gor(Jon's original (drawings for the Denton County Courthouse are located at The Architectural Drawings Collection,
The Architecture and Planning Library, The University of Texas at Austin.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 20 Denton, Denton County, Texas
utilized elements of the 2nd Empire style with the mansard roofs of the corner pavilions. The plan for the new
courthouse deviated from the traditional plan which placed the district courtroom in the center of the second
floor. In the new courthouse, which utilized the cross-axial planning ideas of James Riely Gordon, the district
courtroom was placed to the side to allow for the necessary support for the large centralized masonry tower.
The new courthouse exceeded the budget, finally costing the county $147,000.'
The new courthouse became the center of a prosperous community, hosting a variety of public events
such as market days and local commemorative celebrations. As the seat of district and county courts, it
provided the setting in which people resolved their differences and filed their most precious documents,
including titles to their land, probate documents and marriage certificates. It also served as the focus of the
county's political arena and the theater of commissioners court provided a measure of entertainment for
cidzens as well as direct participation in the issues of the day. As the polling place, the courthouse hosted
many political events through the years, including watershed moments such as the vote for secession and the
1919 elecdon on the prohibidon amendment. It also became the center for such ceremonial events as marches,
meetings of Confederate Veterans, and the re-intenmient of Colonel John B. Denton's remains on November
28, 1901 For the surrounding buildings, the courthouse served as the impetus for the economic growth of the
courthouse square. It not only increased the economic value of the surrounding property, it served as a
magnet to attract consumers to the increasing number of businesses located around the square.
The population of Denton increased from 2,558 in 1890 to 4,187 by 1900. By the late 1890s, the
buildings around the square continued to be primarily two-part commercial blocks constructed of brick. As
several building on the west side burned in a fire in 1895, the continuing threat of fire resulted in the
installation of cisterns behind each of the blocks to provide water for fire fighting and by 1892 a city
waterworks was in place. The commercial development of the downtown area began to spill out along the
streets leading to the square. By the turn of the century, grocery, dry goods, drug stores and attorney offices
dominated the courthouse square with blacksmith shops, wagon yards and livery stables located on the
perimeter. The construction of churches just a few blocks off the square during the late 1890, indicated the
importance of the square as the center of activities in Denton.
The 1890s witnessed the beginnings of a change in the economic character of the town with the
establishment of a private college, the North Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute. The first
classes were held on the courthouse square within the second floor of a hardware store located on the
northwest corner block of the square (figure 8). In an effort to ensure the future economic prosperity of the
' Welch, The Texas Courthouse , 285.
* Originally from Tennessee, Denton worked as an itinerant Methodist minister in Arkansas and Missouri before moving to
Clarksville, Texas and becoming an attorney in the 1830s. Serving as one of Colonel Edward Tarrant's Ranger captains, he was
killed at the Battle of Village Creek east of Fort Worth in 1841.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 21 Denton, Denton County, Texas
town, local businessmen sought to establish Denton as an educational center in North Texas. By 1901, the
town secured a site for a new state normal school. The establishment of North Texas Normal College was
quickly followed by the selection of Denton as the site for the Girls Industrial Institute and College
of Texas in 1902 to the north of the courthouse square. The downtown area flourished with new businesses
aimed at the new consumers made easily accessible to the students through the establishment of an electric
streetcar line to North Texas in 1907 and extended to Texas Woman's University in 1911. The population
continued to increase to 4,732 in 1910.
The downtown streetscape of the 1900s exhibited an unbroken front of brick buildings with some form
of sidewalk in front. More importantly, there were no major fires in the downtown area for the first decade
since the town's establishment. The decade witnessed a profound change, however, which began to be subtly
reflected in the appearance of the square. The decade began with a courthouse surrounded with dirt roads,
board sidewalks, and a hitching post around the courthouse for farmers to tie their teams for "Horse Monday,"
the monthly trading day centered on the courthouse square. By the end of the decade, a streetscape featured
brick or cement sidewalks and gravel-lined streets, with a new trade yard east of the square on Hickory Street.
The automobile had arrived in Denton. The first is reported to have arrived in 1903 and by 1910 the county
registered 60 cars. This number increased exponentially with each passing year.
The impact of a twentieth century emphasis on modernity transformed the appearance of the
courthouse square in the ensuing decades. In 1913, Evers Hardware replaced their older building along the
south side of the square with a new building influenced by modern trends developed in Chicago. While it
retains the traditional two-part commercial block form on a narrow lot developed in the 19th century, the
incorporation of a large expanse of windows on the second floor signals a change in the character of the
square. Denton also witnessed the erection of its first steel frame building in 1915 with the construction of the
McClurkan Building on the southwest block (figure 9). Udlizing classical elements in its cast stone pilasters
and robusdy dentiled cornice, the McClurkan Building nonetheless displays a new sense of modernity in that
it is one of the first buildings to break away from the 19th century character of earlier buildings. Whereas the
trend had been to re-use existing buildings for new functions, the construction of an entirely new, free-
standing building offered a new opportunity to its builder.
Entertainment facilities, such as theaters and soda fountains, proliferated in the downtown area.
Theaters in particular became a particularly important element of the courthouse square. In 1899, William C.
Wright constructed the Wright Opera House on the northeast corner of the square, a prominent position,
utilizing bricks from the 1875 courthouse which he had purchased and stored. People no longer came to town
just to trade, but an increased economic prosperity offered new opportunities for entertainment and a new
student population would continue to impact the character of downtown businesses. In 1908 the first open-air
Airdrome was located along Hickory Street (outside of the district). By 1909, the Amazu Theater at 109 W.
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 22 Denton. Denton County, Texas
Oak was established in a pre-existing building. The Wright Opera House succumbed to the competition of a
new entertainment form in the early 1910s, the advent of moving pictures. The Amazu Theater changed its
name to the Majesdc Theater and by 1913. it moved to 120 W. Oak and was known as the Princess Theater
(Lowry). The west side of the square became known as "theater row" with the Dreamland Theater (119 N.
Elm; later remodeled into the Fine Arts Theater) and the Palace Theater (109 N. Elm - demolished). The old
Paschall Building also once housed a movie theater, the Plaza Theater, later known as the Student Arts
Theater. With the opening of the Campus Theater (just off the square) in 1949, seven theaters were operating
in the downtown area.
By 1920, the population of Denton almost doubled to 7,626 making it the 38th largest city in Texas.
Although agricultural production, particularly cotton, peaked during the 1920s, the city no longer depended
merely on its location as the county seat with a cash crop econom\'. Denton evolved into a thriving city with
an economy based on its institutions of higher education and blossoming subdivisions serving the larger cities
of Dallas and Fort Worth. The appearance of the courthouse square changed as a result of the enormous
impact of the automobile with the number of cars registered exploding from 2,700 in 1920 to more than 5,400
only five years later (figure 10). It became necessary to provide marked parking places around the square and
install stop signs at each corner to regulate the choking traffic. By the late 1920s, the streets surrounding the
courthouse were finally paved.
Chain stores flourished in the downtown area, replacing stores formerly operated by independent
entrepreneurs. The new variety stores flourished as large retailers such as F. W. Woolworth (1924), J.C.
Penny (1926) and Perry Brothers (1927) moved into buildings on the square. These new retailers modernized
storefronts of older buildings, pushing the previously recessed facades out towards the street and attracting the
adention of customers driving by in their automobiles through the use of large expanses of display windows.
Grocery stores began to move away from the square as the large chains, such as Piggly Wiggly (1922), A&P
(1924) and the Helpy-Selfy (1929) moved a few blocks off the square away from the congestion of the traffic
and into larger buildings that provided customers room to select their own groceries.
The advent of the Depression arrested the development of new businesses in the downtown area, but as
early as 1935 the city appeared to be recovering. Nonetheless, the early 1930s was a period in which the
infrastructure of the city improved through projects funded by the Works Progress Administration including
the installation of new water and sewer lines, flood control projects of the creeks, and the construction of
sidewalks around the courthouse. Of particular importance were the completion of several highway projects
including the linkage of Denton with Sherman along Highway 10 and with Decatur along Highway 24. While
building permits declined in 1930. they began to rise in 1935 and continued to increase until the beginning of
World War II in 1941. The older buildings around the square continued to be rejuvenated by new businesses.
The old Wright Opera House received a total make-over in 1935 as the brick building received a smooth coat
NPS Form 10-900-a 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 23 Denton. Denton County, Texas
of plaster to cover the elaborate brickwork of an earlier age and the storefront on the ground level was
transformed into a fashionable boutique, the Boston Store (figure 11). Many of the ornate metal cornices from
the era of the railroad were discarded from buildings, giving them a modern, simpler design. The Paschall
Building was remodeled considerably in 1937. On the eve of World War II in 1939, Denton could boast 18
manufacturing industries within the town and the downtown commercial area once again was a thriving and
bustling area.
World War II halted development temporarily as building materials were in short supply. But the
development of a war-time industry in the defense plants of Dallas and Fort Worth continued to stimulate
even the Denton economy. Following the war, enrollment at the universities ballooned with returning
veterans seeking an education under the provisions of the GI Bill. Building permits jumped from $447,000 in
1941 to $883,000 in 1945, and the post-World War II development and modernization that had begun in the
1930s continued at a fast pace. In 1946, the city began a re-appraisal of all property in the city, resufting in an
enormous jump in property values, particularly in the downtown area. These tax records reveal that many of
the older buildings continued to receive alterations to their storefronts, particularly in the last years of the
decade.
The 1950s, however, signaled a radical change for the downtown area. Despite the numerous attempts
to modernize the older buildings in the area, the advent of a new retail form - the shopping mall - pulled
businesses away from the center of town towards the new developing suburbs. The construction of Interstate
35, begun in the 1950s and completed in 1963, dealt a final blow to the vitality of the courthouse square.
Businesses tried to compete by slip-casing their older buildings behind new aluminum and concrete facades.
It was not until the late 1980s that a resurgence of interest in downtown re-vitalized the area with the support
of a Main Street program and an active preservation program within the city. Since that time, numerous
buildings have been restored to their former condition, including the Denton County Courthouse in 1987,
which has once again created a vital and bustling atmosphere to the Courthouse Square.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-«6) 0MB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 24
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District - Denton, Texas
200-204
0;
•• 123"
III
l(N
105 I
\X'ril Oitk Street
VCeit Hicllory Street
-2 s B 5 0
1 II-
V
•. VTitlnut Street
200 107
122 I log
116 '
10-112
108
106
104
102
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HatorK ItiHiKt
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[5] «P.\SidcwJLi
Map I: Contributing/Non-Contributing Map of Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Source: Knight & Associates, Inc.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
Section 8 Page 25
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton. Denton County, Texas
Figure I: Denton County Courthouse
Source: The Historical Markers of Denton County by Bullitt Lowry (Denton, 1980)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-66)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 26
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
L
c r
Block square
(without reference
to courthouse)
Shelbyville square
(including central
courthouse)
Ham'sonburg square
B
Philadelphia square
//, (without reference
to courthouse)
'/y Lancaster square
(including central
courthouse)
L
npiPir
Four-block square
Courthouse '^//////// Business frontage
/////// (lot orientation not
indicated)
Business frontage
(lines parallel long
sides of lots)
Figure 2: Courthouse Square typology
Source: Edward T. Price, "The Central Courthouse Square in the American County Seat",
The Geographical Review, January 1968
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 27
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 3: Confederate Memorial, 1918
Source: The Historical Markers of Denton County
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Section 8 Page 28
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 4: Square in 1870s
Source: History and Reminiscences of Denton County by Ed F. Bates (Denton, 1918, 1989 reprint)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 29
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton. Denton County, Texas
Figure 5: North side of Square, 1883
Source: Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 30
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 6: West side of Square, 1883
Source: History of Denton, Texas by C.A. Bridges (Waco, 1978)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
Section 8 Page 31
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 7: South Side of Square, 1883
Source: Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
Secdon 8 Page 32
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
25 ^
SI II
•3S|
Figure 8: First site of Te.\as Normal College, 200-204 West Oak
Source: The Historical Markers of Denton County by Bullitt Lowry (Denton, 1980)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Section 8 Page 33
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 9: McClurkan Building, 1930
Source: The Yucca {]930), North Texas state University Yearbook
NPS Forni 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 34
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 10: Courthouse Square, 1930
Source: Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
Section 8 Page 35
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Figure 11: Wright Opera Building
Source: 1938 photograph from the collections the of Denton County Courthouse on the Square Museum
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 36
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
123 N. Elm (1882) Scripture Building Contributing
I im mi III!
Figure 12: Scripture Building (123 North Elm)
Source: Knight and Associates
Figure 13: Scripture Building
Source: 1946 city tax records, Denton County Courthouse
The Scripture Building (photo 5) first housed a dry gods store operated by Robert C. Scripture. During
the 1890s, the Scripture family business encountered difficulties and ownership of the building transferred
through the hands of several family members before it was ultimately bought back in 1904 by Mrs. Robert
Scripture. The building later housed several stores, including J.F. Bell's Grocery, Sullivan Brothers market
and the Olympia Confectionery (1918-1927). The second floor housed, at various times, offices of the Grand
Orient Lodge, a domino parlor later (during the Depression), and the Carpenter's Union. In 1936, the building
housed Edwards Auto Parts and by the 1940s, became the Western Auto Store. The building burned in 1976
but was restored in 1978-79 by Randall and Nancy Boyd who purchased the building in 1977. The first floor
now houses offices with 3 apartments located on the second floor.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 8 Page 37 Denton, Denton County, Texas
This two-part commercial block is representative of buildings constructed in Denton during the
late nineteenth century and represents the changes in architecture caused by the arrival of the railroad which
allowed for the importation of pre-fabricated. cast metal building components. The painted brick facade is
composed of three bays on the ground floor separated by thin, elongated cast-iron pilasters. A central, 3-part
wooden doorway is flanked by wooden frame display windows above wood kick plates. Each bay retains its
original 3-part transom. The 4-bay second floor retains its original window openings, although the original
4/4 windows have been replaced by aluminum frame windows. Each window features a brick sill and hood.
The facade is crowned with a pressed metal (probably tin) cornice with a date and name plate ("1882 R.C.
Scripture") contained within a broken pediment supported by paired brackets. Other features of the cornice
include exaggerated dentils and terminal finials.
The side elevation along Oak Street is composed of 8 bays on the second floor with windows identical
to those of the front. The bottom floor is an expanse of brick wall punctuated by one bay of plate glass
(repeated from the front facade) at the corner, two doorways leading to the second floor and one 3-part
window (installed during the late 1970s). The side elevation is capped by a simple corbelled brick cornice.
According to photographic documentation within the city's tax records, the brick was painted by 1946.
Although the building has received alterations, it retains integrity in its overall design, materials and
workmanship. The installation of aluminum windows retains the same size and rhythm of the original
fenestration. The storefront was replaced as a result of the fire in 1976, but the same window configuration,
including the size of the kick plate, was retained. The original storefront was not recessed, but it did feature
double glass doors, now replaced with a solid wooden one. The only alteration to the side of the building is
the insertion of a new window bay (3-part plate glass) and the installation of aluminum windows on the upper
floor. The building retains integrity of location, setting, feeling and association. Despite some alterations, its
overall design, materials and workmanship of its major features remains as it was originally.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Secfion 8 Page 38
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton. Denton County, Texas
122 N. Locust (1882) Paschall Buildine Noncontributing
mm WHSf^R '
Constructed in 1882 by B.F. Paschall. the building
was the lone survivor of the 1890 fire which destroyed all of
the other buildings on the east side of the square (photo 6).
By 1934, the building housed the Ritz Theater and later, the
Plaza Theatre. Each floor of the building is divided into four
bays. The bays of the ground floor brick facade are divided
by cast-iron columns but have been in-filled with modern oak
walls (one containing glass) and the transoms are no longer
visible. The off-center entrance is through an aluminum glass
door. Recent red brick veneer piers terminate the ground
floor facade and a green canvas awning shades the storefront.
The upper floor openings retain the original size of the 2/1
windows, but they have been replaced with aluminum frame
windows. The original brick facade, painted by 1946, has
received a stucco covering in recent years that obscures the
original brick paneling above the second floor windows. The
building once had an elaborate cast metal cornice with a
broken pediment rising above the cornice line. The pediment
had been removed by 1946, but the remainder of the cornice
was in place. No remnants of the original cornice remain
today. The side elevation along Oak Street consists of 8 bays
with aluminum frame windows inserted within the original
openings. A small, one-story shed-roof addition of unknown
date is attached to the ground floor. The stucco covering extends along this entire elevation as well.
The building has received extensive alterations since the last known historic photograph of 1946
and holds no resemblance to its original appearance. Dating from the same year as the Scripture Building,
the building lacks integrity of association, feeling, design, workmanship, and materials. This building no
longer retains sufficient integrity to convey its significance and is noncontributing to the district.
Figure 14: Paschall Building
Source: 1946 city tax records, Denton County
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 39
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
118-120 N. Locust (1913) McCrory's Variety Contributing
Figure 15: McCrory's
Source: 1946 city tax records, Denton County Courthouse
The C.A. Williams Dry Goods Store, built in 1884, was destroyed by fire in the 1890s. In 1901,
a new building was constructed (photo 7) and occupied first by Hamilton laundering and tailors, and
subsequently by W. W. Batton Groceries in 1919. Later this building housed such businesses as White Front
Cafe (1936), Shipps Barber Shop (1936). Hopper Auto Supply and Ralph's Radio Service (1939) and Grants
Vogue (1939-1940). W.C. Kimbrough purchased it in 1936 as an investment property. The longest
occupation of the building, however, was by McCrorys Variety Store from 1941 through 1961. A building
permit was issued in 1941 for alterations to the building costing approximately $10,000. Much of the current
storefront was added at this time including the fluted chrome separating the display windows. The building
retains its interior hardwood floors as well as a wire message system. An extensive basement, extending
three-quarters of the length of the building, was in existence by 1946 according to historic photographs
and tax records. The building later received a blue plastic sheathing, but this was removed in the late 1980s.
The building was locally designated a landmark in 1988
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 40
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
100 N. Locust (1913) Denton County National Bank Contributing
Figure 16: Denton County National Bank
Source: 1946 city tax records, Denton County
Courthouse
Built in 1913 as the second location for the Denton County
National Bank, this was the last of the three banks to be chartered
in Denton (1892) and was the only one to remain open after the
Depression (photo 8). Typical of bank buildings for the period, it
utilizes a marble veneer, monumental columns and a Classical
vocabulary to exhibit a feeling of strength and trust in its assets.
An outstanding example of the "temple front" type of commercial
building as defined by Richard Longstreth, the building retains a
high degree of integrity. The back part of this building is a three
story, brick building originally constructed in 1892 to house a dry
goods store and offices. Soon after 1913, it was acquired by the
bank and remodeled as an annex to the bank building fronting on
Locusts Street. Entry into the rear building is through the bank
building.
The building received interior modifications in 1937 after
it was sold for use as an office building. The Stewart Title
Company occupied the building for many years. It was restored
in 1996 with slight modifications made to its exterior. The
replacement of glass with anodized frames received approval from
the Texas Historical Commission as the original fenestration
pattem and window configuration was carefully retained. In
1998, the City of Denton leased part of the building for their Main
Street Program.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section 8 Page 41
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton, Denton County, Texas
109 W. Hickory (1913) Evers Hardware Building Contributing
V
m 1B8S. EVERS HARDWARE CO 1913^
i' •BBi
Figure 17: Evers Building
Source: Knight and Associates
Figure 18: Evers Building
Source: 1946 city tax records, Denton Co. Courthouse
Constructed in 1913, the Evers Hardware Store has occupied this spot on the square since 1884. The
first building, constructed in 1884, perished in a fire. First established by brothers R.H. and Dolph Evers, the
family continued to operate the hardware store until 1997. The building is currently leased to a gift shop.
The building is a two-part commercial block and retains its original storefront with large plate glass
display windows with two recessed entries and transoms. A large awning, also original to the building shields
the building. The upper floors feature a large expanse of glass with 2/2 wood sash windows flanking a display
window that extends across the facade. The only alteration to the building is the mullions of the upper row
of windows which are now expressed as solid panes of glass. Crowned with a brick pediment, the building's
signage is proininently displayed below a cornice with deeply recessed dentils. The interior of the building
also retains many of its original features, including a wood floor, original shelving extending the length of the
building, and an old freight elevator at the rear. The building is influenced by Chicago style design tenets and
is remarkable for its pristine condition.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 9 Page 42 Denton, Denton County, Texas
BIBLIOGIMPHY
Bates, Ed. F. History and Reminiscences of Denton County. Denton: Terrill Wheeler Printing Inc.: 1976.
(first printing in 1918 by McNitzky Printing Co. of Denton)
Bridges, Clarence Allen. History of Denton, Texas: From its Beginnings to I960. Waco: Texian Press, 1978.
Cochran, Mike. 'The Clyde Hotel," The Denton Review (Spring 1989) 10.
Cochran, Mike. "The Interurban in Denton," The Denton Review (Fall 1992) 11-16.
Cochran, Mike, untitled article on the Denton County Courthouse in The Denton Review (Spring 1989) 15.
Coursey, Clark. Courthouses of Texas. Brownwood: Banner Printing, 1962.
Cowling, Mary Jo. Geography of Denton County. Dallas: Banks Upshaw Co., 1936.
Deaver, J. M., "The Life and Death of John B. Denton, For Whom County Named," The Denton Review
(Spring 1989)3-8.
Denton Centennial Commission. Centurama: History of Denton, 100 Years of Progress (Official Centurama
Program). Denton: Denton Centennial Commission, 1957.
Denton Chamber of Commerce. Denton County, the Greatest Diversifying County in Texas and Denton, the
City of Schools and Homes. Denton: Denton Chamber of Commerce, 1909.
"Denton: The City Beautiful," Texas Magazine (February 1911).
"Denton Is a County of Culture and Progress," County Progress (November, 1923)
Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau. Historic Denton Texas, (brochure) Denton: Denton Convention and
Visitors Bureau, no date.
NPS Form 10-900-a QMS Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 9 Page 43 Denton. Denton County, Texas
Denton County. Office of the County Clerk. County Commissioners Court Minutes, Volume A (May 31,
1876)
Denton County. Office of the County Clerk. County Commissioners Court Minutes, Volume C (July 2 and
August 9, 1895)
Denton Historic Landmark Commission. FramcM'ork for the Future: A Preservation Guidebook for Denton,
Texas. Denton: Denton Historic Landmark Commission, no date.
Fry, Eugene. Historical Episodes of Denton. Denton: privately printed, 1926.
Gentry, W.D. "Grocery Stores in the City of Denton, 1929-1939," unpublished manuscript in the Texana
Collection of the Willis Library, University of North Texas.
Goeldner. Paul. "Temples of Justice: 19th Century County Courthouses in the Midwest and Texas." Ph.D
dissertation. Columbia University. 1970.
Grant, H. Roger. " Tnterurbans Are the Wave of the Future': Electric Railway Promotion in Texas."
Southwestern Historical Quarterly, (July 1980) pp. 29-48.
Henry, Jay. Architecture in Texas, 1895-] 945. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1993.
Irvine. Laura. "Sketch of Denton County, Texas," American Sketch Book. vol. VI (1881)
Jermings, Jan, ed. Roadside America: The Autotnobile in Design and Culture. Ames: Iowa State University
Press, 1990.
Kelsey. Maris and Donald Dyal. The Courthouses of Texas: A Guide. College Station: Texas A&M
University Press, 1993.
Lowry, Bullitt, ed. Building the Denton County Courthou.se, 1895-1897. Denton: Terrill Wheeler Printing
Coiupany for the Denton County Historical Commission, 1987.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 9 Page 44 Denton, Denton County, Texas
Lowry, Bullitt, ed. The Historical Markers of Denton County Texas. Denton: Terrill Wheeler Printing
Company Inc., 1980.
Lowry, Bullitt, comp. Preservation Plan, Historic Landmark Commission, City of Denton. Denton: Terrill
Wheeler Printing, Inc. for the City of Denton, 1986.
Odom, E. Dale and Bullitt Lowr>-. A Brief History of Denton County, Texas. Denton:Terrill Wheeler
Printing. Inc.. 1976.
Odom. E. Dale. An Illustrated History of Denton County, Texas: From Peters Colony to Metroplex. Denton:
privately printed by the author, 1996.
Odom, E. Dale. "The Impact of Railroads on Denton County, Texas," East Texas Historical Journal vol. 29
(Fall 1991) 54-60.
Polk's Denton City Directory, 1916. 1929. 1939, 1947.
Robinson, Willard. The People's Architecture. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1983.
Robinson, Willard. "Temples of Knowledge: Historic Mains of Texas Colleges and Universities."
Southwestern Historical Quarterly, LXXVII, #4 (April 1974) 445-480.
Robinson, Willard. Texas Public Buildings of the Nineteenth Century. Austin: University of Texas Press,
1974.
Texas Historical Commission. Nafional Register files for Denton County.
Texas Historical Commission. Marker files for Denton County.
Texas Urban Railway. Making Neighbors of the People of Dallas and Denton Counties and the Towns of
Denton, Garza, Lewisville, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Dallas by the Opening of the Texas
Interurban Railway. Dallas : Johnston Printing and Advertising Company, 1924.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMe Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 9 Page 45 Denton. Denton County, Texas
Walter, Rodney. "A Brief History of the Interurban Railway in Denton, Texas," The Denton Review (Fall
1992) 3-10.
Walter, Rodney. The Economic History of Denton County, Texas, 1900-1950. masters thesis. North Texas
State University, 1969.
Welch, June Rayfield and J. Larry Nash. The Texas Courthouse. Dallas: GLA Press, 1971.
Welch. June Rayfield and J. Larry Nash. The Texas Courthouse Revisited. Dallas: GLA Press, 1984.
Williamson Hugh. "Diversified Denton." Texas Parade (November 1951)
Archival Sources
Denton Courthouse on The Square Museum and Archives.
Denton (city) Tax Records. Denton Courthouse on The Square Museum and Archives.
Emily Fowler Public Library, Denton.
Sanborn maps. The Center for the Study of American Histor>'. The University of Texas at Austin.
University of North Texas, Willis Library, Texana Collection.
University of North Texas, Willis Library, University Archives
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District, Denton, Denton county, Texas Page 4
10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
ACREAGE OF PROPERTY: approx. 20 acres
UTM REFERENCES Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1. 14 673780 3677600 3. 14 674140 3677360
2. 14 674140 3677600 4. 14 673780 3677360
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION (see continuafion sheet 10-46)
BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION (see continuation sheet 10-46)
11. FORM PREPARED BY
NAME/TITLE: Lila Knight
ORGANIZATION: for the City of Denton Certified Local Government Program DATE: June 1999
STREET «& NUMBER: 138 Park South Drive TELEPHONE: (512) 312-0326
CITY OR TOWN: Kyle STATE: TX ZIP CODE: 78640
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
CONTINUATION SHEETS
MAPS (see continuation sheet 8-24)
PHOTOGRAPHS (see confinuation sheet Photo-47)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
PROPERTY OWNER
NAME: On file with the Texas Historical Commission
STREET «& NUMBER:
CITY OR TOWN: STATE:
TELEPHONE:
ZIP CODE:
10NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No 1024-0018
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Section 10 Page 46 Denton, Denton County, Texas
Verbal Boundary Description
Beginning at the center of the intersection of Pecan and North Austin Street, proceed south along the
middle of the right of way of Austin Street until reaching the center of the intersection at Austin and Walnut
Streets. Continue west along Walnut Street to the intersection with S. Cedar Street. Hence proceed north
along Cedar Street to the intersection with Pecan Street. Then proceed east along Pecan Street until reaching
the point of beginning.
The Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District comprises all lots in Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8 of the Original Town Plat including the courthouse square which is unnumbered (These blocks were
later re-numbered to Blocks 201, 302, 301, 427, 401, 102, 101 and 224 respectively including the courthouse
square which is unnumbered).
Boundary Justification
The district includes a concentration of contributing properties that give the district a sense of
continuity and which reflect significant aspects of the historical development of Denton. These buildings
share a common scale, design, materials, and massing which strongly define the area's historic role as the
city's commercial and governmental center. These physical attributes and the historical associations linking
these properties together present a cohesive grouping which can be perceived as a single unit.
The properties to the immediate north of the district lack sufficient integrity and historical linkage
to the courthouse square. These are comprised primarily of service stations and contemporary buildings. The
Denton City Hall and the old Post Office are located to the north along Elm and Locust respectively, but to
include these properties would have required a gerrymandering of the boundaries. Properties to the east of the
district include commercial buildings but they lack sufficient integrity for inclusion in the district, many were
built at a later date than the majority of the buildings on the square, and the sense of continuity is destroyed by
numerous parking lots and vacant lots. These properties change in character as they approach the railroad
tracks, reflecting their function as warehouses and industrial properties located near the tracks. Property to the
south of the district includes commercial buildings of a different type and scale including warehouses and a
large church. In addition, these blocks lack sufficient integrity and contain numerous contemporary buildings
such as parking garages, drive-in banks, parking lots, and restaurants. The property one block west of the
square was constructed within the period of significance, but lacks sufficient integrity and a sense of historical
continuity to be included within the district. Further west of the district, large-scale office buildings and
parking lots predominate before the entrance to the residential area of West Oak and West Hickory.
10NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No 1024-0018
Section PHOTO Page 47
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Denton. Denton County, Texas
PHOTOGRAPHS
All photographs were taken by Lila Knight in February of 1999, and the negatives are on deposit at the
Denton Courthouse on the Square Museum and Archives, Denton, Texas.
View of West Oak Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Camera facing east
Photo 1 of 9
View^ of West Hickory Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Camera facing southeast
Photo 2 of 9
View of North Elm Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Camera facing northwest
Photo 3 of 9
Wright Opera House
200 West Oak Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
Southwest fa9ade; camera facing northeast
Photo 4 of 9
Scripture Building
123 North Elm Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
East fa9ade; camera facing west
Photo 5 of 9
Paschall Building
122 North Locust Street
Denton. Denton County, Texas
West fa9ade; camera facing east
Photo 6 of 9
McCrory's Store Building
118-120 North Locust Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
West fa9ade; camera facing east
Photo 7 of 9
Denton County National Bank
100 North Locust Street
Denton, Denton County, Texas
West fa9ade; camera facing east
Photo 8 of 9
Fine Arts Theater
119 North Elm
Denton. Denton County, Texas
East fa9ade; camera facing west
Photo 9 of 9
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET
REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION
PROPERTY Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
NAME :
MULTIPLE Denton, Texas MPS
NAME:
STATE & COUNTY: TEXAS, Denton
DATE RECEIVED: ll/24/OO DATE OF PENDING LIST: 12/06/00
DATE OF 16TH DAY: 12/22/00 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 1/08/01
DATE OF WEEKLY LIST:
REFERENCE NUMBER: 00001582
REASONS FOR REVIEW:
APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N
OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N
REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N
COMMENT WAIVER: N
J^ACCEPT RETURN REJECT / Z./ }.^/(^DKIE
ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS
National Regiawc
RECOM./CRITERIA
REVIEWER DISCIPLINE
TELEPHONE DATE
DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N