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Formed from Young
and Bexar territories; Created August 21, 1876; Organized March 22, 1882;
Named in honor of Stockton P. Donley 1821-1871; a Confederate officer
elected to the Texas Supreme Bench in 1866; Clarendon, the County Seat.
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Designed by the architectural firm of Bulger and Rapp, and
built by Troutman Brothers Contractors, both of Trinidad, Colorado, this
distinctive public building opened in November 1891. The original Romanesque
Revival design included prominent towers, contrasting red brick and quarried
limestone, and complex projecting elements. Work in the 1930s resulted in
removal of the entire third floor, as well as many architectural details.
The county restored the courthouse to its original splendor and rededicated
it on July 4, 2003. Today, it is the oldest functioning courthouse in the
Texas Panhandle. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2006 |
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In Romanesque Revival style, the Donley
County Courthouse is a fine picturesque work incorporating polychromatic
masonry. Walls of the 1890 temple were St. Louis pressed brick placed upon a
base of quarry-faced ashlar, the stones of which, according to one local
historian, were taken from an earlier courthouse. Stone was also used for
the arches, lintels, and decorative features. On the ground story cut stone
was employed for the watertable, pinnacle shafts, and lintels. The arches of
the tower base were comprised of large voussoirs with quarry faces, wide
archivolts, cut intrados, and imposts decorated with geometrical
ornamentation. These were supported by columns with alternating courses of
smooth and textured stones. A billet terminating the wall was formed with
inset bricks of contrasting colors to create patterns of recesses, which are
emphasized by the play of light on the surface. A brick and stone fireplace
on the south facade contributes to the picturesqueness of the asymmetrically
composed massing.
Changes in the exterior of the building include the removal of the upper
section of the tower, removal of dormers and the conical turret roof, all
done in the 1930's. In addition, some of the pinnacles have been remove and
a cast iron cresting and metal finials have been taken off the roof ridges.
The courthouse plan is unusual in Texas but conforms to conventions followed
by some other architects who worked in the Romanesque Revival style. One
entrance is emphasized by the tower and porch. The turret contains a
stairway; the windows placed in a stepped pattern also express change in
level.
On the interior of the Donley County Courthouse many of the original
finishes and furnishings are still extant. Walls were plastered and trimmed
with stained woodwork, although the wood has now been painted. Hardwood
floors are still intact, as are the ceilings which were finished with
stamped sheet metal with intricate patterns. However, some ceilings are
finished with plaster. Original furnishings include fireplaces, courtroom
furniture, and bookcases in the judges' chambers. Beautiful stained glass
windows in arched openings and iron vault doors with Victorian decorative
features are other original details that add to the interest of this
courthouse.
The Donley County Jail is located on the northwest corner of the public
square, near the courthouse. Built on stone footings, the walls of the jail
were of Millsap and Vernon brick, completed in 1904. That same year,
lightning rods, electric lights, and water and sewage systems were
installed. In 1907 porches were added to the north and south sides. Although
the utilities and other interior features have obviously been remodeled, the
exterior still retains most of its original character.
The jail is a cubical building with stuccoed walls emphasized by stone
stringcoures. Stone was also employed for lintels over the openings. The
walls are terminated by a cornice formed with brick corbeling. On the
northeast corner of the building the walls rise above the cornice and form a
picturesque tower-like feature. This is decorated with details resembling
battlements and machicolations--Medieval military architectural details. The
use of these stylistic features in detention facilities symbolized strength
and was common in Texas during the latter part of the century. Located near
the top were small indentations resembling openings which added interest.
The porches were wooden. Square columns with simple capitals supported the
roofs.
On the interior, as was common, the sheriff's quarters were on the ground
floor and cells were installed on the second.
The Donley County Courthouse and Jail have architectural and governmental
significance. They are fine regional examples of nineteenth century design
and have been the focal point of county functions for three-quarters of a
century.
Located in the southeast section of the Panhandle, Donley County was created
in 1876 and organized in 1882. It was named for Stockton P. Donley, an early
lawyer and Texas Supreme Court Justice. Although containing an area of over
900 miles, in 1973 only about 4,000 people populated the county for which
Clarendon serves as the county seat.
Clarendon was originally founded in 1878 and named for Clara Carhart, the
wife of the town founder, Lewis Henry Carhart, a Methodist minister.
However, shortly thereafter a new townsite was selected along the Fort Worth
and Denver Railroad.
As was typical, provisions for county government were makeshift during the
early years. In 1882 the house of J.S. Wright was leased for county offices
and courtrooms. Subsequently, the building was repaired and furnishings were
purchased. However some county offices were located in other buildings in
Clarendon. The arrangements were, of course, inadequate and several years
later commissioners prepared to build a new courthouse.
In 1887, after examining several sites, it was ordered that block 14 be
selected as the site of a new building. Meanwhile S.T. Martindale, and
Charles Goodnight, the latter of whom was a prominent West Texas rancher,
were authorized to purchase material and oversee the erection of a temporary
courthouse. Shortly after this building was completed, it was determined
that it was "entirely insufficient for general use and that a new, more
comfortable and commodious courthouse" was a public necessity. It was then
ordered that a new brick temple of justice be erected at the earliest
practicable date.
In 1890 another block was donated to the county and the county clerk was
ordered to publish invitations for proposals for a new
building in the Clarendon Traveler and the Dallas Morning News. After
receiving the bids, the proposal of Troutman Brothers, contractors from
Trinidad, Colorado, was accepted on plans provided by Bulger and Rapp,
architects. Construction proceeded in a routine manner and was completed in
1891.
During the next several years the grounds were landscaped. In 1892 a board
fence was built around the courthouse and in the following year trees were
planted.
An annex has been added on the south side and the courthouse continues to
serve its original functions. Embodying fine stylistic and decorative
features and still retaining considerable original character, it is the
finest surving example of nineteenth-century architecture in the area.
Similar to the provisions for county government, the first jail was
improvised. In 1884, the purchase and repair of a powder house to be used as
a jail was authorized. Subsequently a jail cell was purchased from the Pauly
Jail Building Company.
In 1885 Charles Goodnight was appointed an agent to purchase materials for a
new jail building and to oversee construction. However, work was delayed.
Five years later officials intended to contract a new jail at the same time
as the courthouse contract, but this effort also failed.
Finally in 1903, the Pauly Jail Building Company was asked to furnish plans
and specifications for a new facility. After considering bids on these
plans, J.A. White was awarded the contract for $8,980. Structural iron and
steel, and the cells were purchased from Pauly Company. Early in 1904, the
county accepted the completed jail and today it continues to serve its
original function.
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON FILE IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER
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