Throckmorton County Courthouse

Project Type: Full Historic Restoration

Location: Williamsburg, Texas

Project Description

Komatsu Architecture completely restored the Throckmorton County Courthouse to its original 1896 appearance. The Italianate style courthouse was originally designed by architects Martin, Byrnes, & Johnson. However, the building was heavily modified and added to in the 1930s during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) era. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) required that the County return the building to the 1896 design. To accomplish this, the additions were removed, and the original roof volume and bracketed galvanized metal cornice were reconstructed based on historic photographs. The cupola was rebuilt using fiberglass and a steel frame. The wood windows and doors were also recreated.

Inside the Courthouse, many of the original finishes were intact. The long-leaf pine flooring, wainscot, doors, transoms, ceilings, stairs, and shutters were all repaired and restored. The building also underwent changes necessary to bring it into compliance with life safety codes and to make it accessible to all members of the community. This included the installation of a new Limited Access lift and exterior egress stair.

The key to the success of this project was the public-private partnership forged by the McKnight family and Throckmorton County. Donations from the McKnights allowed the County to match grant funding from the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) and construct a new county annex adjacent to the Courthouse. The Annex structure, also designed by Komatsu, was essential in relocating County functions from the Courthouse once the additions were removed.

Completion Date

2017