Groesbeck's Courthouse Was Designed to Be Seen From Every Side

The Limestone County Courthouse at 200 W. State Street dates to 1924. It belongs to a longer line of public buildings. The courthouse in Springfield and three more official courthouses served before the present one.

A fire destroyed the courthouse at Springfield. Later county boundary changes added another push toward Groesbeck. The town became the county seat in December 1873, starting the courthouse sequence that led to today's square.

Limestone County hired Midwest Engineering Company of Amarillo to draw plans in 1923. William Rice Construction Company received the $300,000 contract. Rice had also worked on the Lipscomb and Lynn County courthouses.

A reinforced-concrete frame supports walls of brick and terra cotta. The style is Classical Revival with Beaux Arts influence. Classical columns flank the windows, while balustrades and cornucopia moldings dress the upper floors.

Every elevation was intended to be seen. That four-sided design explains why the courthouse and open square read as one civic place instead of a building with a front and three forgotten backs. The courthouse also carries Recorded Texas Historic Landmark status.