Atascosa County, Jourdanton
I really can't tell you why right now, but this is one of my more favorite courthouses. It's ornate without being too gothic. Almost more mission style. Who knows why? I just like it a lot.
From what I can find there were four courthouses before this one. The 1856 courthouse is described as adobie vernacular and was in Navatasco, TX. The next two courthouses were in Pleasanton, TX, the first in 1857 described as vernacular wood picket and the second in 1869 described as vernacular frame. It appears the county seat was finally moved to Jourdanton somewhere around 1886 because the fourth courthouse was built that year and is described as a two-story tower stone Italinate building. In 1911 a fifth temporary courthouse was used while the one you see here was being constructed.
Here's a breakdown in case you got lost.
1st - 1856 - adobie vernacular - Navatasco, TX
2nd - 1857 - vernacular wood picket - Pleasanton, TX
3rd - 1869 - vernacular frame - Pleasanton, TX
4th - 1886 - two-story tower stone Italinate - Jourdanton, TX
5th - 1911 - Mission Revival (see pictures) - Jourdanton, TX
The Courthouse and Me