Old Harrison County Courthouse, Former county courthouse in Marshall, Texas, US.
The Old Harrison County Courthouse stands in the center of Whetstone Square in Marshall, Texas. James Riely Gordon designed it and local architect C. G. Lancaster supervised the work. Its dome rises above a four-level rotunda crowned by a coffered false dome, with a four-faced clock between the two domes. Six walls form a hexagon supporting the outer dome, and V-shaped brick pillars with marble columns frame the windows.
Built in 1900 based on designs by architect James Riely Gordon, the structure served as the county's administrative seat for over six decades. When government operations relocated to a new building in 1964, the courthouse transitioned to a different role while retaining its landmark status.
The Harrison County Historical Museum occupied the building from 1964 until 2000, when it closed. The courthouse is also noted as the site of the first sit-ins in Texas, a civil rights milestone. Visitors can see the restored four-faced clock and the winged Lady Justitia atop the dome.
The courthouse stands in Whetstone Square and welcomes public visits where guests can admire the architecture and explore museum exhibits on the lower levels. Visiting in the morning allows for a more leisurely experience with fewer crowds and plenty of time to walk through the spaces.
Perched atop the bell tower is a 6-foot statue of the winged goddess of justice holding her traditional scales and a raised sword. This sculptural element represents a rare and carefully crafted example of symbolic representation found on courthouses across America.
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