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| Landmark #4117 | Presidio County | Visited: October 1, 2018 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The governmental seat of Presidio County! |
| What makes it historical? | THE PLAQUE SAYS: A landmark of the Big Bend. Large dome is visible for miles. Constructed of native stone and brick made at Marfa. Stucco added later. Built 1886 in this county’s third seat of justice. First county seat was Fort Leaton, on the Rio Grande; second, Fort Davis. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964.
OTHER TIDBITS: Once the railroad bypassed the old county seat of Fort Davis, the town of Marfa decided to seal their place as new seat by building a courthouse! The town hosted a design competition, which came down to Alfred Giles and Colonel J. H. Britton. The two of them had worked together on the El Paso County courthouse, and Colonel Britton won using a very similar French Second Empire design. So, no one is truly sure who to consider the original architect! The courthouse opened for business on January 1, 1887 with a grand party and is still used as a party venue to this day! It’s still mostly intact, though the scales and sword of the Goddess of Justice statue were shot off by a local who was unhappy with the way the county was being governed! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| How do I find it? | Listed Directions: 300 North Highland Ave Marfa, Texas 79843 Annotations: From Austin: ~429mi (691km) — 7.2hrs |
| When should I go? | The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM! |
