AUSTIN, Texas —
The historic county courthouses of Texas, deemed a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, are the focus of a new publication available this month from the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Courthouse Cornerstones is an update of the THC’s award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, and highlights the success and potential of the nearly 15-year-old initiative.
Since 1999, the Texas Legislature has invested $247 million in courthouse preservation through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, and the activity has generated nearly 10,000 jobs, $259 million in income, and more than $367 million in gross state product. More than 50 historic courthouses have been fully restored, generating more than $21 million in local taxes, and an additional $22 million in taxes to the state. Eight additional courthouse restorations will take place in 2013-14. Leading off the New Year are courthouse rededications in Comal (Jan. 22) and La Salle (Jan. 26) counties.
However, at least 75 additional historic Texas courthouses continue to need assistance for repairs and restoration work, which led the National Trust to include historic Texas courthouses on its America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list this year, for the second time.
Announced in June 1999, the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program provides partial matching grants to Texas counties for the restoration of their historic county courthouses. For more information on the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, visit www.thc.state.tx.us. A copy of the new Courthouse Cornerstones (PDF) issue will be available later this month online. To request a copy, contact the THC Architecture Division at 512.463.6094.
