Grimes County Courthouse

            Unique Victorian Texas public building.  Third courthouse here.  Site, in an 1824 land grant form Mexico, was donated 1850 by Henry Fanthorp, first permanent settler in county.

            Built 1891 of hand-molded brick with native stone trim.  Vault is same one used in previous buildings; has twice withstood fires.

            Tried here in 1930’s, a Clyde Barrow gang member vowed he’d see court in infernal regions.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark--1965

Grimes County

            On road used 1690 by Spanish explorers, Alonso De Leon.  In 1821 Andrew Milligan began settlement.  Henry Panthorp opened his inn 1834, a post office 1835.  Kenneth Anderson, last vice-president, Republic of Texas, died at Fanthorp’s, 1845.  After his burial here, town was named for him.

            County created and organized  1846.  Named in honor of Jesse Grimes (1788-1866).  A signer of Declaration of Independence and member of Congress, Republic of Texas

            Anderson was named the County Seat.

            During civil war, 1861-1865, had a gun factory, furnished troops, food, cotton.

(1965)