Denton County Courthouse Nomination FormForm No. 10-300 , \0-^i?.e^
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
DATA SHEET
FOR NFS USE ONLY
m () 1377 RECEIVED
DATE ENTERED PEC 2 e 1977
SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS
TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS
4ISTpRIC
Denton County Courthouse
AND/OR COMMON
[LOCATION
STREETS NUMBER
Public Square —NOT FOR PUBLICATION
CITY, TOWN
Denton VICINITY OF
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
STATE
Texas
CODE
048
COUNTY
Denton
CODE
CLASSIFICATION
CATEGORY
—DISTRICT
_XBUILDING(S)
—STRUCTURE
—SITE
—OBJECT
OWNERSHIP
XpuBUC
—PRIVATE
—BOTH
PUBLIC ACQUISITION
_IN PROCESS
—BEING CONSIDERED
STATUS
^OCCUPIED
—UNOCCUPIED
—WORK IN PROGRESS
ACCESSIBLE
—YES: RESTRICTED
J^YES: UNRESTRICTED
_N0
PRESENT USE
AGRICULTURE —MUSEUM
—COMMERCIAL
—EDUCATIONAL
—ENTERTAINMENT
^GOVERNMENT
—INDUSTRIAL
—MILITARY
—PARK
—PRIVATE RESIDENCE
—RELIGIOUS
—SCIENTIFIC
—TRANSPORTATION
—OTHER
DfOWNER OF PROPERTY
NAME
County of Denton
STREET & NUMBER
Public Square
CITY, TOWN STATE
Denton VICINITY OF Texas
HLOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION
COURTHOUSE,
REGISTRY OF DEEDS.ETC. Offing of the County Clerk, Denton County Courthouse
STREET & NUMBER
Public Square
CITY. TOWN STATE
Denton Texas
• REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
TITLE
Historic Sites Inventory
DATE
1970 —FEDERAL i?STATE —COUNTY —LOCAL
DEPOSITORY FOR
SURVEY RECORDS Texas Historical Commission
CITY, TOWN STATE
Austin Texas
DESCRIPTION
CONDITION
—EXCELLENT
^GOOD
—FAIR
-DETERIORATED
_RUINS
.UNEXPOSED
CHECK ONE
—UNALTERED
X-ALTERED
CHECK ONE
X—ORIGINAL SITE
—MOVED DATE-
DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
In the Denton County Courthouse in Denton, architect W.C. Dodson,
a prominant figure in Central Texas architecture, modified the
traditional crossaxial plan to allow the erection of a high central
masonry tower. In the three story structure, the large central spaces
including the courtroom were placed on either side of a single main
corridor, allowing the supporting walls for the tower to pass through
the center of the structure.
A corridor running east-west provides the main circulation space.
On either end is a large stair prefabricated from cast iron components.
As is typical of Texas courthouses, offices of the county clerk, tax
assessor, and tax collector are located on the ground floor while the
large district courtroom and offices of the district clerk and judge's
chambers are situated on the second floor. The third floor contains
additional offices.
Handsome materials were used on the interior. A panneled wainscot
adds to the richness of the corridors and stairways. This panneling
along with the doors and door openings are finished with oil, high-
lighting the natural beauty of the wood.
Centered in the public square atop an eminence, the Denton County
Courthouse is comprised of a group of imposing masses. Each facade
consists of a five part composition with a projecting pavilion emphasizing
the entrance. Each entrance pavilion is enriched by a Roman-arched
opening, two ranges of columns and a triangular pediment. At each
corner is a series of balconies surmounted by a tower with an ogival
roof.
The dominant feature of the composition is the central octagonal
tower rising above a broad platform with four ancillary domes, a compo-
sition which was most certainly inspired by the dome of the French
Cathedral, Florence Italy (1296). Two columns support the cornice over
an observation platform in the tower base and a railing is formed with
masonry units.
Openings are spanned with stone lintels throughout, except at the
entrances and the corner towers. The tower openings are spanned by
Roman arches. Each entrance is emphasized by a Roman arch flanked
by rectangular openings resulting in a composition of voids recalling
the Palladian motif. Above the entrance columns bearing on pedestals
support balconies with stone rails.
Masonry of harmonizing hues produces an impressive facade. The
walls were tan quarry-faced sandstone in ashlar pattern and the column
capitals were carved in a basket weave motif in red stone from the Ganzer
quarry. The voussoirs, water table, string courses, and lintels are
of cut sandstone in light brown color. The column shafts were of pink
Form No 10-300a
(Rev 10-74)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY NOMINATION FORM
FOR NPS USE ONLY
RECEIVED JUN 6 1977
DATE ENTERED DEC 2 0 1977
CONTINUATION SHEET Denton County ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE
granite from Burnet. These columns, eighty in number, were fabricated in
Fort Worth and were among the first to be finished with electric
equipment. They were employed in the pedimented entry pavilions at
each facade and in balcony features at each corner.
Other decorative features contribute a subtle additional richness
to the exterior. Stone carvings ornament the cornice which is
surmounted by a balustrade, the posts of which are also enhanced by
carved stone details. A bull's-eye window accents each pediment.
SIGNIFICANCE
PERIOD
—PREHISTORIC
— 1400-1499
— 1500-1599
— 1600-1699
— 1700-1799
Xl 800-1899
—1900-
AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE
ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC
^ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC
AGRICULTURE
Ji^RCHITECTURE
ART
—COMMERCE
—COMMUNICATIONS
—COMMUNITY PLANNING
—CONSERVATION
—ECONOMICS
—EDUCATION
—ENGINEERING
—EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
—INDUSTRY
—INVENTION
CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW
—LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
—LAW
—LITERATURE
—MILITARY
—MUSIC
-PHILOSOPHY
XpOLITICS/GOVERNMENT
—RELIGION
—SCIENCE
—SCULPTURE
—SOCIALynUMANITARIAN
—THEATER
—TRANSPORTATION
—OTHER (SPECIFY)
SPECIFIC DATES 1895-1896 BUILDER/ARCHITECT DodSOn
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The,Denton County Courthouse possesses both architectural and
historic significance. In Romanesque style, one of Texas' most
prominant nineteenth-century architects created a building with extra-
ordinary richness incorporating a combination of forms that is similar
in concept to many other courthouses but unique in composition. Since
the founding of Denton, the public square on which this temple of
justice is located, has been the focus of political activities in the
county and the present courthouse has been the center of local govern-
ment for three-quarters of a century.
Denton, county seat of Denton County,, was established in 185 7
and named, as was the county, in honor of John B. Denton, whose remains
are buried on the courthouse lawn. On a hundred acres of land donated
by Hiram Cisco, William Loving and William Woodruff, the fourth county
seat of Denton County was established and lots were sold at public auction
on January 10, 1857. The first courthouse was a frame building on.the.
north side of the square. It burned in 1875 and was replaced by a
brick structure designed and built by J.H. Brittqn in.1876-1877. .The
building was located in the center of the town square.
After twenty years of service this structure ceased to be
satisfactory and public pressure mounted for the construction of a new
courthQuse. On February 16, 1895, the Fort Worth Daily Gazette
reported that, "several parties secreted on the upper stairway
supplies of barrels, coal scuttles, bricks and the like, and at a
given signal turned them all loose down the stairs creating a fearful
state of mind of those familiar with the conditions of things."
On July 3, 1895, the Commissioners' Court authorized the con-
struction of a new building specifying "the Romanesque style of
Architecture for the Denton County Courthouse as shown in the design
prepared by Architect J.R. Gordon." Subsequent study of Gordon's
plans resulted in his discharge for some reason not recorded. The
commission was then awarded to architect W.C. Dodson who was ordered to
prepare plans, specification and details, as well as to supervise
construction by contractor Tom Lovell. Dodson was to receive a 5%
commission based on the cost of the building which was $100,000.00.
Completed in 1896, the courthouse continues to serve its original
function.
QMAIOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
Robinson, Willard B., Todd Webb, Texas Public Buildings of the Nineteenth
Century, Autin, 19 74.
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, February 16, 1895, p. 5; February 12, 1896, p.8.
Denton County Commissioners' Court Minutes, Vols. A and C.
IGEOGRAPHICAL DATA
ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 2 aCreS
UTM REFERENCES
A|1.4| |6|7^|0,3P| 13.617.614.8,5 1 BI . 1 1 1 . 1 . . I 1 . 1 . 1 . . 1
ZONE EASTING NORTHING ZONE EASTING NORTHING
cl 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 . 1 j DI . I 1 1 . 1 , . t 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 1
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
The courthouse is located on the public square at the intersection of
farm to market highways, 2164 and 426.
- • LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES
STATE CODE COUNTY CODE
STATE CODE COUNTY CODE
EBjFORM PREPARED BY
NAME/TITLE Willard B. Robinson, Professor of Architecture
S. Elizabeth Sasser-Research Assistant 12-15-76
ORGANIZATION
Division of Architecture-Texas Tech University
DATE
806-742-2464
STREET* NUMBER
P.O. Box 4499
TELEPHONE
CITY OR TOWN STATE
Texas
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION
THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS:
NATIONAL STATE X LOCAL.
As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National H
hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register
criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE
966 (Public Law 89-665), I
accortiing to the
TITLE rpgxas State Historic Preservation Officer' DATE
FOR NPS USE ONLY
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS IMCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER
•1 DATE /1^
KEENER' OE THE MTJ
DATE i t ^/C '1 ATTEST:
yiiiiB niTiir imiTinMiUL wiisigTBF
GPO 892. 453
Property
Denton Countv CourthotiSR
Texas forking Number .^^^^^^g,.
TECHNICAL
Phntn«; 3
Maps J
CONTROL
HISTORIAN
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
ARCHEOLQTGI
OTHER
HAER
Inventory
Review
REVIEW UNIT CHIEF
BRANCH CHIEF
If /<» 7 7
KEEPER
National Register Write-up Send-back
Federal Register Entry ^ -"P'?^ Re-submit
Entered 2 0 1977
INT:2I06-74
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7
ENTRIES IN THE NATIOI^fiL REGISTER
SThTE TEJ-rAS
Date Entered Di^C 2 Q 1977
Location
liihm Coimty Coyrtliousa and Jail
Bluff Dalo Suapanalou Dridga
Xteatoa Coxtaty Cotirtbottse
Presidio C'?aaty (JourthouKcs
lUlain Coaiity
Bluff jCals
Erath Comicy
De&toa
Xksn&cm County
Presidio Cotsnty
ro
CM
Also Notified
Hon. Lloyd M. Bentsen
Hoa. Jobn G. "owar
Eon. W. R, Foa<5Q
Hon. Oisar i&urlesoa
lioa. Ilay Roberta
lic-a. Richard C. Waite
Regioaal Director» Southwest Rogioa
State Historic Proearvaticm orflcer
Ilr, Trutitt Latis^ar
Esecutivci Director
Te3iie U:*sCorical CoinmiMlon
P.O. Bos: 12276, Cej'itol Statioa
Austin, Xexas 76711
NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET
(l)NAME as it appears on federal register:
Denton County Courthouse
(2) OTHER NAMES'.
(5) LOCATION street & number
Public Square
city / town
Denton
vicinity of state
TX
l^^fldate of entry I (^county code
2 0 1977 121
county
Denton
;6)NPS REGION
SW
OWNER DPRIVATE DSTAIE •MUHICIPH
_ EXISTING SURVEYS DHABS DHAER DNHL
^wtittiM HATtwH RE&imk miwm mn\
Ons.jw'
CONDITION Gdeteriorat
• excellent Druins
Qgood
• fair
OUNTY •MUlTirU •FEDtRAKaeency iiame)_
FUNDED? DYES DHO |(S)cONGREi •24L1I • NATION
S^wilitii ii«Tt»«M m$nm immm
(§)ADNIINISTRATOR :.
5
-1 j.DSUBSTA>
• unexposed
Ounexcavated
• unaltered •moved
• reconstructed •unknown
• excavated BLE - 9
;SS • YHS - Rc-l r ictt-d •> YES -Unrestricted • No Access •Unknown MDAPTIVE USE ens C
ARCHEOLOGY- (iistrif. - '
^OR!CUl'URt-J
ARCHUECIJ'tt 4
• COMMERCE - 6
• COMMUNICATION
• CONSERVATION-
• ECONOMICS-9
• ENGINEERING-11 • LANDSCAP; HRrH-! • POLIl ICS ' I'.CVI , •
• LAW-16 •REHGION-22
• MILITARY- 18
• MUSIC- 19
• SOCIAL' ilUMANITARIAN
r SOCIAL / CUtTURAL-30
• RECREATION -28
• SETTLEMENI-29
• URBAN PLANNING
iOPERTY A HISTORIC Dl STR I CT'' • v-
WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIflCANT;
1
^dates of initial construction:
mJici alterations:
z^i, ETHNIC GROUP
^architectural style(s) ^master builder:
^interior decorator. ^artist: Idor/GOntrac
^NAME!
PERSONAL:
EVENTS:
INSTITUTIONAL:
^NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP
9rpvi«wer6 initials.