Nueces County Courthouse (1914) picture.
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz

Nueces County Courthouse (1914)
Built: 1914
Type: Abandoned
Stories: 6
Location: 1101 Mesquite Street
City: Corpus Christi
State: Texas

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A nother one of those great landmarks that has seen better times. The Nueces County Courthouse lies just out of reach of Corpus Christi’s tourist district -- a temptation to those stricken with the architecture bug. Though it is officially neo-classical in design, it fits in very well with the Spanish colonial designs so common in the area. It has been victimized by an unfortunate renovation effort on the north side; an effort that appears to have been abandoned around the same time the building was surrounded with razor wire. This is the second courthouse on this spot. The first was built in 1856. Since the city is frequently lashed by hurricanes, the new courthouse was built extra-tough. It is an exuberance of poured concrete, stonework, steel beams, and other reinforcement. Even the chair rails are made of marble. A plaque outside reads:
"Nueces County Courthouse of 1914. In 1853 lawlessness in Nueces County, which covered most of the area from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border, prompted the construction of the first county courthouse on this block. Three lots were purchased for $300 from Corpus Christi founder, Henry Lawrence Kinney (1814-1865). A second courthouse was built in the mid-1870s beside the first. Under the administration of county judge Walter E. Timon (1872-1952), this neo-classical structure was completed in 1914 at a cost of $250,000. The architect, Harvey L. Page (1859-1934) of Washington, D.C., designed the International & Great Northern railroad station in San Antonio and Laguna Gloria in Austin, home of former Corpus Christi resident Clara Driscoll. Additions were made to the buildings in the 1930s and 1960s. Courtrooms and offices were on the first four floors. The top two floors, separated from the rest of the building by an air space to eliminate noise, served as the jail. In addition to government offices, apartments were provided until the 1950s for the jailer and other county officials. During storms which almost leveled the city, hundreds of refugees sought shelter here. In 1977 County offices moved to a new courthouse building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1979."


 

 

 

 
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