McLennan County Courthouse
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Seat of Justice for county organized in 1850 by founders of Waco, to give the young city added strength. Ironically, until the early 20th century, county oustripped city in prosperity. This courthouse (the county's fourth) was built during peak of central Texas cotton wealth. The renaissance revival design by J.Riely Gordon of Dallas uses steel, limestone, concrete, and marble, with Texas red granite in the rusticated base. Housed here are numerous state, district, and county courts, with a law library open to all citizens.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
McLennan County was organized in 1850 by Waco's founders to strengthen their young city, though for decades the surrounding county outpaced the town in wealth. This fourth courthouse rose during the height of central Texas cotton prosperity, designed in Renaissance Revival style by architect J. Riely Gordon with limestone, marble, and Texas red granite. It still houses the county's courts and a public law library.
Why it matters
Grand county courthouses like this one embodied the civic ambition and cotton-fueled wealth of Gilded Age Texas, standing as monuments to law and local pride.
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Related people
- · J. Riely Gordon
Themes & tags
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