Right there on the Courthouse steps
Lest our memory shift
A plaque honoring those that pushed
For a Belton town facelift.
The Courthouse was restored, the downtown was restored... thanks to these folks.
PINK GRANITE PLAQUE surrounded by red brick in front walk of Courthouse (North side of Public Square). Reads:
CITY OF BELTON
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT
1997
FUNDED UNDER THE TxDOT
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
CHARLEY POWELL, MAYOR
BILL HOLMES, MAYOR PRO TEM
CITY COUNCIL
DWAYNE DIGBY
WAYNE CARPENTER
GILL PENNINGTON
JOAN MUSICK-FLOWERS
JIM COVINGTON
JEFF HOLBERG, CITY MANAGER
KIRBY PICKETT, TxDOT DISTRICT ENGINEER
ROMING-PARKER ASSOCIATES, ENGINEER
ODELL GEER CONSTRUCTION CO., CONTRACTOR
National Register of Historic Places (
visit link)
Belton Commercial Historic District
(added 1990 - District - #90001868)
Also known as See Also:Bell County Courthouse
Roughly bounded by Nolan Valley Rd., Penelope St. and Nolan Cr.., Belton
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
Architectural Style: Late Victorian, Modern Movement
Area of Significance: Architecture, Commerce, Politics/Government
Period of Significance: 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private , Local Gov't
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Government
See specific waymarks re: buildings (as they exist) for more local history. Of particular note, and why the plaque is HERE:
Using arched passageways, round-arch and pedimented windows, a clock tower with columned gallery, and a rusticated limestone finish, Jasper N. Preston & Son of Austin designed the 1885 Bell County Courthouse in the Renaissance Revival style. Ben D. Lee served as contractor. The original tower and dome were removed in the 1950s, but were rebuilt in 1999 based on documentation provided by historic photographs. A fine example of Preston's work, the style is echoed throughout Belton's downtown, in large part rebuilt after an 1889 fire razed much of the commercial district.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000