The project will be presented to the legislature in January and, if approved, will be administered by the Texas Historical Commission. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today, more than 225 courthouses still stand that are at least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the century. Most of these structures have deteriorated significantly due to either abandonment, inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or a combination of those problems.
Historic courthouses are more than architecturally grand buildings and old government offices.
They're physical, tangible links to community and state heritage. Courthouses were the first permanent structures in many Texas communities, and main streets and business districts grew and prospered in their shadows. Marriages, trials, elections, parades, festivals, campaign rallies and community celebrations are just some of the events linked to courthouse squares.