Shelby County Courthouse (old) - Center, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 31° 47.707 W 094° 10.889
15R E 388151 N 3518333
This former courthouse is now the only remaining example of Irish castle style courthouses in the United States.
Waymark Code: WMPHAK
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/01/2015
Views: 3
From Texas Historical Marker:
"Built to resemble Irish castle (1883-1885) by architect J. J. E. Gibson, from Ireland. Style is, in part, "Romanesque revival." In 1866 county records were held at this site after being secretly taken from Shelbyville by R. L. Parker and Sam Weaver following a contested election naming Center as county seat. The noted land dispute case of heirs of Sydney O. Penington, signer of Texas Declaration of Independence, was tried here, 1896. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969"
Street address:
Hwy 7 at Austin Street
Center, TX USA
75935
County / Borough / Parish: Shelby County
Year listed: 1971
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Government
Current function: Government
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.