Dallas County Courthouse, Courthouse in downtown Dallas, US

The Dallas County Courthouse is a judicial building in downtown Dallas constructed in 1892, featuring distinctive red sandstone walls with marble accents. It sits on Houston Street and currently serves legal functions as a courthouse.

The building was constructed in 1892 and became an important center for legal proceedings in Dallas. It gained historical note when President Kennedy's motorcade passed by in 1963 shortly before his assassination.

The building is known as Old Red, a nickname taken from its red sandstone walls. In 1904 prohibition activist Carrie Nation lectured on temperance in one of its courtrooms, drawing a crowd that spilled into the hallways. Since 2024 it has housed the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals.

The building is located centrally downtown and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should know it functions as an active courthouse, so certain areas may not be accessible to the public.

The building served as a museum for many years, displaying local history before returning to its original legal function. This transformation shows how the same structure adapted to different community needs over time.