Lee County Courthouse, Giddings, Texas
historic place
The Lee County Courthouse in Giddings, Texas, is a significant historic place. Lee County was organized in 1874, and Giddings was selected as the county seat after a contested election. The first Lee County Courthouse was completed in 1878, but it was destroyed by fire in 1897. The current three-story, red brick courthouse was designed by architect J. Riely Gordon in 1898. It was built by Sonnefield, Emmins and Abright of San Antonio and completed in 1899. The building's architectural style is classified as Richardsonian Romanesque, named after the architect Henry H. Richardson. J. R. Gordon designed the courthouse with lines similar to the New York State Capitol and several buildings at Harvard University. It stands on a public block in Giddings, positioned on the crest of a divide separating the Colorado and Brazos River basins. The courthouse underwent restoration in 2004, with further grants for repairs in 2010 and 2014 to address structural issues. A historical marker was erected in 1968 to commemorate the Lee County Courthouse. This structure continues to serve as the center of county government, marking its enduring role in local history.