Val Verde County Courthouse Square

Organized in 1885 from sections of Crockett, Kinney, and Pecos Counties, Val Verde County was named for a Civil War battle in New Mexico involving Texas Confederate forces. The growing railroad town of Del Rio was chosen as the county seat, and commissioners set up offices in a commercial building on Perry Street, now South Main. Soon after the county's formation, the Limestone Jail was built on a corner of the public square and provided additional office space during construction of the courthouse. The Limestone Courthouse was constructed at this site in 1887 by the contracting firm of Hood and McLeod, from designs by A. O. Watson and Jacob Larmour of Austin, who also designed courthouses in Milam and Comanche Counties. It features classical revival detailing and octagonal corner turrets. A three-story annex was completed later, and as the area's population increased, the buildings were modified to expand services. In 1956, a separate facility for the sheriff's office and county prisoners was completed, and the old jail was remodeled for use by other departments.

Del Rio, Texas · United States