THE FIVE MILLION DOLLAR FACE LIFT
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 The historic Harrison County Courthouse in Marshall ranks among the most outstanding examples of Victorian public architecture in the State of Texas. Designed in the Renaissance- revival style, it is one of the "mini Capitols" the 80-plus surviving 19th century courthouses of Texas, comprising the largest and most outstanding collection of Victorian government buildings in the nation. These buildings stand as enduring symbols of the aspirations of a people who settled a vast frontier, determined to impose order and justice on the wilderness. |
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Harrison County's courthouse is one of 12 surviving county courthouses in Texas of the reputed 72 edifices designed by architect J. Riely Gordon, arguably the most prolific courthouse architect in the Lone Star State.Construction on the courthouse began in 1899 and was completed in 1901. Gordon worked closely with Marshall architect C.D. Lancaster in carrying out the project. |
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As Harrison County government expanded during the 20th century, the Courthouse's original spacious interiors were partitioned, once-open balconies were glassed in, and the two-story courtroom was eventually converted into a series of offices. In 1927-1928 the east and west wings were expanded under the direction of Lancaster, who devised a manner to preserve the original brick and granite facades, which were moved away from the main body of the structure; the new spaces were in filled with matching brick. Today the many partitions and alterations to the old courthouse have disguised much of its original floor plan; an earlier sand-blasting of the brick has led to moisture seepage into the walls. |
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In 1965 the county moved to a new courthouse across the downtown square, and the Gordon building was slowly taken over by the Harrison County Historical Museum, which expanded its operations from an initial two galleries to the twenty-six that house its exhibits and collections today. A part of the west wing is currently occupied by the Marshall/Harrison County Health Department, which is planning to move to quarters nearer the hospital during 1998. |
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