Johnson County Courthouse, historic place in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas
The Johnson County Courthouse is a six-story courthouse in Cleburne, Texas, completed in 1912 by architects Lang and Witchell and Charles E. Barglebaugh. The building features Prairie School design with a central clock tower standing nearly 90 feet tall, exterior walls of pink granite and brick, and interior marble walls with an octagonal art glass skylight.
The building replaced an older Second Empire courthouse that burned down in 1912, on the same day the Titanic sank, with a firefighter named Albert Bledsoe dying in the effort. Charles E. Barglebaugh, who trained under Frank Lloyd Wright, brought Prairie School principles to the new courthouse's design.
The courthouse now serves as a museum and stands as a symbol of Johnson County's identity and progress. The central clock tower and bell remain important landmarks for residents, connecting daily life to the building's historical significance.
The courthouse stands at the heart of downtown Cleburne and is easily visible from public streets. When visiting, allow time to explore the central atrium with its octagonal skylight and marble walls, as these architectural details reward close attention and slow walking.
The tower houses a large bronze bell with an inscription about trust and justice that was originally rung to call people to the courthouse. The bell was removed due to structural concerns and reinstalled after a comprehensive 2005 restoration project that added a new steel support.
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