County Seat – Hempstead
Built – 1955
Architect – Herbert Voelcker
Style – Modern
Photographed – 12/30/08
see Historic Waller County Jail
I actually kind of like this courthouse. It is imposing – and it actually looks like it might be a center of power – like a courthouse. Unlike a lot of other modern courthouses which can be confused for schools or hospitals, etc. I think the reason is the entrance which is large and well appointed with decorative touches and even a little relief you might find in moderne buildings. The red brick works – and there’s lots of polished marble inside. There’s a bell tower on one of the corners of the courthouse holding the bell from the 1884 courthouse.
it’s a shame the 1884 courthouse was torn down. It wasn’t destroyed by fire or falling it – it was just replaced by a more modern structure. The 1884 courthouse was a pearl that cannot be replaced. see the photo below:
