Limestone County Courthouse

Visited July 06, 2008


Limestone County, Texas located in Groesbeck, Texas. Designed by architect R. H. Stuckey of Mid West Engineering Company.

My search for the Thomas Eugene Heiner Courthouses in Texas has mushroomed into Jerry's idea of visiting and photographing all 254 County Courthouses in the State of Texas. I have no idea if we will make all 254 or not but I do know that it will be a lot of fun riding trying to accomplish the task.

At every Courthouse we visit we look for the Cornerstone. If the original Courthouse has been destroyed the town has usually saved the Cornerstone and placed it somewhere on the grounds for history's sake. Often times they will have saved a few bricks or building materials from the old building.

A lot of the Courthouses have tributes to Veterans of all Wars. Some of the Veterans Monuments are elaborate and some are modest. No matter what the design the sentiment is the same. I love every one. I always imagine the fund raising efforts that might have gone into the effort of placing the monument. If names are listed, I can’t help but wonder
What happened to that soldier and be thankful for the sacrifice they made for me.

Inscription:
Dedicated To The Memory of The Heroes of Limestone County Who Gave Their Lives In Defense Of Their country In the World War.
Erected By SIM B Ashburn Post No. 88 November 11, 1928

Sometimes we find very interesting things at a Courthouse. The Bell at Limestone County Courthouse was one of those interesting things. Just imagining the travels this Bell has been on is amazing. It actually left the possession of the County and went to live at another location and then returned many years later. This will be such an interesting story for hundreds of years to come, and one that many will enjoy.

Plaque on the Bell

Inscription:

We the Citizens Gratefully Acknowledge The Blake Smith Family for Their Generous Gift To Limestone County.
Manufactured by Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1908 this bell was placed in the bell and clock tower of the Courthouse built in 1878. It remained in that location until the present Courthouse was completed in 1924. The bell was given to Blake Smith by County Judge H. F. Kirby. It remained with the Smith Family until 2002 when Mrs. Blake (Patty) Smith and her son Robert Pat chose to return it to Limestone County to be placed near the main entrance of the Courthouse for all to enjoy.

Another interesting thing that I love that a lot of the Counties have done is to place a Time Capsule on the Courthouse Grounds. I would love to be in attendance when some of these Time Capsules are opened in the future. It would be very interesting to see what was placed inside. I also wonder how many people will show up for the digging up of the Capsule.

Courthouse:

Established in 1846. Classical Revival Building with Beaux Arts Influences. The 1924Limestone County Courthouse is a variation on the most common themes of early 20th centry courthouses. The William Rice Construction Company of Amarillo received the contract for $3000,000.00 to erect the structure. Rice had been the contractor for both the Lipscomb and Lynn County Courthouses.