1942 Medina County Courthouse Renovations -- Hondo TX
N 29° 21.023 W 099° 08.478
14R E 486284 N 3246814
In 1942 a WPA project renovated the Medina County Courthouse in downtown Hondo.
Waymark Code: WMPHRY
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/03/2015
Views: 6
The waymark coordinates are at the WPA Plate in the curb at the east entrance near the state historic marker.
A 1942 WPA project to renovate the Medina County Courthouse removed its 1892 clock tower and added two wings, and vurbing around tghe courthouse.
WPA plaques can be found in the curb at the east entry into the courthouse and on the east courthouse wall.
From the Rootsweb website: (
visit link)
"Medina County was founded in 1848 with Castroville as the County Seat. In 1892, as the result of an election, the seat of county administration was relocated to Hondo City (now Hondo). The commissioners court immediately ordered a courthouse to be built at the new county seat. During the administration of County Judge B. Brocks, a building contract was let to the construction firm of Martin, Byrne & Johnson. Limestone with a slightly yellowish cast was secured about six miles north of town from the ranch of Joe Decker. Completed in 1893, the new courthouse provided office space for the county judge, tax assessor, treasurer, county attorney and district clerk, and featured a large district courtroom on the second floor. Between 1939 and 1942, changes to the 1893 courthouse were made, including the addition of two two-story wings. Stone for the wings was secured again from limestone deposits on the Recker Ranch. The classical revival courthouse exhibits some influences of the Italianate style. Prominent features include the rosticated stone walls, classical portico over the entry way, a broken triangular pediment, and stone hold molds with incised eastlake designs. (Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1984)
Additional Notes: The original ornate clock tower was removed and wing additions were added by the WPA (1938-1940), Architect, Joseph Palle."