Jasper County Courthouse

Jasper County, along with 22 others, was established in 1836 when the Republic of Texas gained its independence from Mexico. The county was named after William Jasper, an American Revolutionary war hero from Georgia. Its economy was based on ranching, farming, lumbering throughout the 19th century. The first courthouse was built at this location that year. It was a simple, two-room log building that served the county until a fire destroyed it in 1849. The second courthouse, a two-story wood-frame building, was erected here as well and was used until 1889 when the present courthouse was built.

As the county grew, the need for additional space became apparent. Wings on each side of the building were added in the early 1930s. It appears that a one-story addition was constructed in 1940 using funds from the Works Progress Administration, which was one of several federal agencies established during the Great Depression to boost the national economy. Then in 1960, a two-story building was erected next to the 1940 addition.

"Jasper County Courthouse." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed October 4, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=128582.

Robinson, Willard B. "Jasper County Courthouse." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 6, 1984. https://atlas.thc.texas.gov/NR/pdfs/84001898/84001898.pdf.