McLennan County Courthouse (NRHP #78003095) - Waco, Texas

Constructed in 1901-1902, the McLennan County Courthouse was designed by J. Riely Gordon. The building was erected by Tom Lovell, contractor, and construction was supervised by W.C. Dodson, architect. Built during prosperous times, it is the fourth courthouse in the county's history.

The courthouse is on a cruciform plan with corridors extending lengthwise through each arm. On the upper two levels, several courtrooms are located at ends of the cross. A rotunda extends up through the crossing. The exterior is distinguished by Beaux Arts Classical style on a monumental scale. The concept of composition of the building with its wings, dome and dominant entrance is similar to that employed in the Texas State Capitol.

Numerous features contribute to the success of the Beaux Arts style in this building. A colonnade with paired end columns announce the main entrance; above the entablature supported by these is a wall with decorated pilasters, surmounted by triangular pediment and bull's eye window. This compositional theme was duplicated in the pavilions on the long wings; however, in these a balcony is introduced and the paired columns are brought forward, thus breaking the plane of the façade. The Corinthian order was used for the columns, while Doric was employed on the pilasters.

The monumentality of the edifice is further dramatized by the lengthy stair. In the entrance portico, the door opening is emphasized by a segmental pediment, and windows are surmounted by triangular pediments. The building is essentially a three-part composition; the base encompasses the first story; two stories, extending between a water table and entablature, are contained in the middle section; and one story is included in the terminal feature. Two entablatures, the upper one of which is topped by a balustrade, encircle the top level. The dome unifies the entire composition. In typical Beaux Arts style, paired columns around the drum support an entablature above which rises the dome. Roman-arched openings flanked by pilasters in Corinthian order are contained between the paired columns. Surmounting the lantern of the dome is a statue of Themis, the Greek personification of justice. Below are two smaller statues, one of a torch bearer, the other of Justitia, the Roman version of Themis. And, finally, Roman eagles surround the dome and Urns appear above the ends of the secondary pediments.

For its significance in architecture and its prominent role in the local county government right up to present day, the McLennan County Courthouse was included on the list of National Register of Historic Places on December 14, 1978. All of the information included above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
catalog.archives.gov/id/40972997

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

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Taken in: United States / Texas / Waco (show map)

Taken on: April 30, 2024

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McLennan County Courthouse

McLennan County, Texas

NRHP #78003095

Constructed in 1901-1902

J. Riely Gordon

Tom Lovell

W.C. Dodson

fourth courthouse in the county's history

Beaux Arts Classical style

Beaux Arts Classical design

Beaux Arts Classical architecture

Beaux Arts style

Beaux Arts

Waco, Texas

Waco

Texas

Waco, TX

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Camera: Nikon D7200, f/9.0, 10mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7200
Aperture:	f/9.0
Focal Length:	10mm
ISO:	200
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
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