These wooden and steel towers, found throughout Texas, were built to tap underground water for homesteads and livestock. This hall of democracy is one of five courthouses designed by Oscar Ruffini, who based the design on one designed by his brother, F.E. Ruffini. The Ruffini brothers were popular 19th century architects with an Italian heritage. It is typical of this style because it includes string courses and quoins. String courses or belt courses are horizontal bands of stone that divide the floors on the courthouse's exterior.
Quoins are stones that line the corners of the building in a decorative pattern.
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