Architect John McLelland was born in Greenock, Scotland, trained at the West of Scotland Technical College in Glasgow, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Edinburgh, and migrated to Chicago in 1906. “Polk County,” in New Handbook of Texas. Feba 1849, via Monate voa seim Tod . The supporting braces on the exterior of this building and the loss of the south interior floors and ceilings are the major changes. Polk County District Court . Later partnerships included Green & Briscoe (1910-12), and L. S. Green & Company (with Victor Grimmer, 1911-12). The county comprises 1,061 square miles, ranging in elevation from 100 to 300 feet. 6 giant order Tuscan columns define entry. Present Status: Gone He offered to give the County one hundred acres of land, stipulating that if selected for the County Seat, the name be changed to Livingston for his former home in Tennessee. The Mexican government made 35 land grants in what would become Polk County. Reflecting age-old traditions, the cornerstone was laid by the Masonic Lodge, wearing full ceremonial attire. The windows in the outer bays are identical to those on the single bay elevations (12/12 sash on the ground floor, 8-light casements on the upper floor). (Epperson, W. T. Interview, 1930; recorded in Polk County Memorial Museum Archives) The site of the Andress Inn, demolished in 1911, has been commemorated with a Texas State Historical Marker. The northwest corner has a picnic area near a historic 1901 Civil War monument (contributing). Polk County Courthouse: POLK County Texas Courthouse - See 14 traveler reviews, 5 candid photos, and great deals for Livingston, TX, at Tripadvisor. The 1905 Courthouse Annex has a simple interior floor plan. Polk County Courthouse, Livingston: See 14 reviews, articles, and 5 photos of Polk County Courthouse, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 19 attractions in Livingston. The 1924 Courthouse is a good example of an early 20th century Classical Revival courthouse in a rural Texas county, while the 1905 Annex is also significant for its refined classical design. Green died c. 1929, possibly as the result of a house fire. ), The population of Polk County grew steadily from 1880 to 1940, when it peaked at 20,635, then declined sharply until 1960, only to rebound slightly through the 1980s. In Person: 1117 Trinity Street, Room 144, Austin, TX 78701. Despite modifications such as the addition of an exterior elevator, air conditioning units, exterior glass painted out above the line of new ceilings and interior modernizations, the courthouse is in good physical shape and retains a high degree of its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. In 1990 Polk County was the leading Texas county in lumber products and Christmas trees. 1905 Courthouse Annex. The south facade. Rick Lewis, staff architect with the Texas Historical Commission stated in a letter to the Polk County Heritage Society that the “handsomely scaled” and “uniquely-detailed” 1905 annex is “among Texas’ most novel historic county governmental buildings, in addition to being one of Livingston’s and Polk County’s oldest and most attractive architectural accomplishments.” (Letter of August 3, 1987) Schelana Hock. This building had no installed plumbing. Polk County is in the east Texas timberlands region on the east bank of the Trinity River. Hotels near (IAH) George Bush Intercontinental Airport; All things to do in Livingston; Things to do near Polk County Courthouse. Surrounding County Courthouses: N – Rutherford County E – Rutherford County S – Spartanburg County, South Carolina and Greenville County, South Carolina W – Henderson County Created: January 20, 1855 The specifications for the new building were: Commissioners proposing the new building frequently described it as “modern” and “efficient.” The identical doorways of each facade facilitated cross-ventilation and access, and resulted in a building with no “back side.” Local residents, however, began to regard the Washington Street entrance (east facade) as the main entrance. Texas: Polk County Clerk Records Search. Each window is framed with corbelled brick with concrete sills and decorative corners. The centrally located entry leads to a small foyer with an office space on the south side of the building and one on the north. The county comprises 1,061 square miles, ranging in elevation from 100 to 300 feet. County Clerk Records Coverage. The population of the county in 1860 was 8,300, with a slave population of 4,198. It contained a community auditorium, a library and the American Legion Hall. Plantations dominated the county economically and politically before the Civil War. County Courthouse – Des Moines The exterior elevator shaft was also removed. P O Box 880. The major roadblock is funding. Polk County Courthouse: Historic Courthouse - See 14 traveler reviews, 5 candid photos, and great deals for Livingston, TX, at Tripadvisor. 208 W Church. The Polk District Court I, located in Livingston, Texas is a government institution where legal disputes are resolved in accordance with the law. The arched windows on the south side reach to the third floor, reflecting the 2-story interior height of the district courtroom ceiling. The front of the courthouse is restored to it's original appearance. The original panel doors measured 3’-0” by 8”-0”, and were embellished with concentric raised circles, and had substantial thickness. The Polk County Courthouse continues to provide the focal point of political activities in the county and is therefore nominated under Criterion A at the local level of significance in the area of Politics/Government. County Seat: Livingston The building was much larger, had a more complex plan and was less pretentious in detail. The Polk District Court I, located in Livingston, Texas is a government institution where legal disputes are resolved in accordance with the law. The windows on the first floor are rectangular and separated by spandrels from the second floor arched windows. Despite the addition of the bracing, the exterior of the building retains its original characteristics and integrity. The courthouse has an imposing presence on the square, and the building’s elevated location at the intersection of two major thoroughfares, Washington and Church streets, reflect this importance. The number of farms nearly doubled, while the population stayed about the same and agricultural production decreased sharply. In the 20th century the value of the lumber industry increased remarkably. Find and bid on Residential Real Estate in Polk County, TX. Not a particularly sensitive alteration to a historically significant building! A special meeting of the Commissioner’s court on March 21, 1923, approved a resolution for a new courthouse, stating a need for a building with modern plumbing and heating, and more space for the expansion of County offices and county archives. Concrete steps on the east side lead to the double doors which are flanked by concrete pedestals that once held gas lampposts (the original lampposts are stored inside the building pending further restoration). The architect for this project was. The county produced 9,307 bales of cotton in 1859. Both buildings retain a high degree of integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. This was the first Polk County Courthouse to include electricity, indoor plumbing, and a furnace for steam heating, telephones, and drinking water from a source other than roof run-off. All interior openings were trimmed in a Neo-Classical/Greek style. Ventilators in the roof provided a flow of air from open windows and doors, while electric ceiling fans augmented air circulation within all but the smallest rooms. The HE & WT Railway continued to build northward from Houston and reached Livingston in 1880. Photographs of the original doors will aid in their replacement. He left soon thereafter to work as an estimator at the Thompson Starrett Company in San Francisco, finding work during the rebuilding after the 1906 fire. The 2011 Polk County Judicial Center is directly south of the courthouse, on Mill Street. A jury summons day for me at POLK County Criminal Justice Center. Polk County voters overwhelmingly supported secession in 1861, and produced eight companies which served in the war. The Union Pacific (formerly the Southern Pacific) railroad tracks are very close to the west side of the courthouse square. Existing pecan trees on the southeast corner provide shade for a newly constructed Community Gazebo (1999, noncontributing). Surrounding County Courthouses: N – Rutherford County E – Rutherford County S – Spartanburg County, South Carolina and Greenville County, South Carolina W – Henderson County Created: January 20, 1855 The brick tower was a 1968 addition for an elevator. The elevation facing Washington Avenue originally served as the main entrance to the courthouse, although construction of the Hwy 59 bypass to the west reoriented the primary traffic to Church St. (US 190) and the primary approach to the north. Green designed a portion of the Trinity County Courthouse, probably around the same time as his work on the Polk County Courthouse Annex. Polk County is named for William Polk, who was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and the first president of the State Bank of North Carolina.. (Polk County Museum Archives, Pictorial History Book, Polk County, Texas 1978). Sam Houston was a frequent guest. Hotels near Polk County Chamber of Commerce; Hotels near Texas Polk County US 59 Northbound Rest Area; Near Airports. (Robert Schatt, Sam Houston Regional Library, Liberty, Texas). The Board meets at the Polk County Judicial Center, 1 st floor, Room 111, 101 West Mill Street, Livingston, Texas 77351 For information or to file a complaint, call Gary Wright with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-329-9005 This was the first Polk County Courthouse to include electricity and indoor plumbing, and each room had transoms and ceiling fans to allow air circulation within the interior spaces, all of which were later removed. County Seat: Livingston Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas As of the 2010 census, the population was 45, 413. (McCaslin , Richard B. The following information is provided to help our users stay informed about courthouse availability, hours, and procedures. Therefore, locally these buildings are of great importance. It's worth a visit to see the hum of activity on a weekday. This building also served as the Livingston Church for six years. The mantels have been removed for restoration. Date of experience: June 2015. Welcome to the website of the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. The unusual building is Polk County’s oldest government building. Polk County Courthouse and 1905 Courthouse Annex, Livingston, Texas; Polk County Courthouse (Wisconsin), Balsam Lake, Wisconsin; Geiger Building (Osceola, Wisconsin), also known as the Old Polk County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places; See also. The exterior of the courthouse is in very good condition despite modifications such as the addition of an exterior elevator and air conditioning units. Each elevation features symmetrically placed windows, with an entry door on the primary (east) facade. Green’s projects include St. Agnes Convent, Houston (1905, dem. Counties Accepted - State of Texas Polk County Provided Programs. Both are symmetrical in design, with one 12/12 sash window on the ground floor with decorative iron grill and one smaller rectangular casement window on the second floor, set between brick pilasters. In 1902, a fire swept through downtown Livingston, destroying all the buildings except the courthouse. The original drawings of the interior of the courthouse, shows many ornate details that were never implemented. US Highway 59 (IH-69) bypasses Livingston on the west. (see Trinity County Courthouse images, page 8-15), Green was first listed in the Houston City Directory in 1903, along with his firm Green & Svarz. Because it had been dependent on the plantation system, the county was economically fragmented after the war. Find 24 listings related to Polk County Sub Courthouse in Onalaska on YP.com. Building Completion Date: 1846 Polk County Courthouse: POLK County Texas Courthouse - See 14 traveler reviews, 5 candid photos, and great deals for Livingston, TX, at Tripadvisor. Building Materials/Description: Brick, 2-story, 40′ x 40′, $5,600, Building Completion Date: 1884 In March 1845, the first Texas Legislature created Polk County and named it in honor of James K. Polk, then President of the United States. A recently discovered letter from the Trinity County clerk to Page, dated August 5, 1914, features a image of the Green building on the letterhead. A white fence was placed around the square to keep roving livestock out of the building. He has 17 years experience in law enforcement and criminal justice prior to being elected as Justice of the Peace in 1999. 1971), Brackenridge School, Houston (1905, dem. Polk County Probate Records (guides.sll.texas.gov) About the Polk District Court I. Building Materials/Description: 3 story light brick structure accented by limestone details. Polk County is named for James Knox Polk, who was the eleventh President of the United States of America.. Corrigan City Municipal Court. Livingston lost most of its historic buildings in the fire of 1902 and continues to lose historic buildings at an alarming rate due to growth and a quest for modernization. The elevation on the west side of the square is at street level and faces Jackson Avenue and the railroad. The west facade is very close to the tracks. The greatest increase came after World War II, but the lumber boom helped ease the impact of the Great Depression on the county. There was no plumbing in the building and gas fireplaces heated each floor. Surrounding County Courthouses: N – Boone County and Story County E – Jasper County S – Warren County W – Dallas County Created: January 13, 1846 County Seat: Des Moines 1846 – present . A monument on the courthouse grounds features historic places, people, and events in Polk County. The applicant then pointed out desired unclaimed lands, and agreed upon a price to pay the Government. The 1905 Courthouse Annex, immediately adjacent, designed by Houston architect Lewis Sterling Green, was built to alleviate overcrowding within the 1884 Courthouse. Preservation efforts have been ongoing for the courthouse annex since 1976 and continue today. Quickly access deeds, liens, oil & gas leases and title research with our free grantor-grantee and property search index. The original doors were removed many years ago and have since been temporarily replaced with metal doors, pending further restoration. Livingston, Texas 77351 . The lampposts would be restored and re-installed. The original wooden exterior doors have long been missing, however, original photographs will aid in their reconstruction. Houston architect Lewis Sterling Green worked in partnership with Gehard C. Svarz until 1904. The elevation is high emphasizing the importance of the structures over other low scale buildings in the town. Search our database of Polk County Property Auctions for free! This first Legislature appointed John Stubblefield, James W. Abbey, Fredrick Rankin, A. S. Ainsworth and Arthur Garner as a Board of Commissioners to meet at Swartout on the Trinity River to locate a county seat, to hold an election to select a place and to get the county government in operation. The narrower east and west elevations are similarly arranged, but the east side (facing Washington Avenue) is historically the front entrance to the building, facing the town’s original main street. Polk County Courthouse: Nice courthouse - See 14 traveler reviews, 5 candid photos, and great deals for Livingston, TX, at Tripadvisor. Developers knew that towns, especially county seats would increase the value of and demand for property. (Commissioners’ Court Minutes, Sam Houston Regional Archives) The large second floor became the town’s social center. The architects Green, Lewis Sterling McLelland, and Fink, designed the structure with a classical/revival design. While policies can vary from county to county, the law is clear as the to the individual's right to access and obtain public … Onalaska City Municipal Court. Polk County’s fifth courthouse set new records for cost and style. Dorrance Building (1903) and the Commercial National Bank (1904). Onalaska City Municipal Court. 265 Livingston 77351 Phone: 936-327-6805 Fax: 936-327-6874 District Clerk 101 West Mill St. Ste. The 2-story building, on the southwest corner of the square was constructed of local red brick with stone detailing. texascouDfji209Dirthouses@yah2sd9Dioo.com, TexasCourthouses.com Its walls display skillfully brick masonry work with stone detailing. Despite an overall increase in rural population, agriculture has played an increasingly minor role in the economy of Polk County. The jury facilities included a dormitory with showers. County Courthouse – Des Moines "The Polk County Courthouse, designed by the Houston architectural firm of McLelland & Fink, was built in 1923-24 to answer the needs of a growing and prosperous county. (McCaslin , Richard B. The structure was built in 1900 and remained significant until 1974, and was designed for governmental uses. The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Polk County. The upper floor central bay window is a narrow 9/9 sash with a 6-light transom. Building Materials/Description: Brick, stone, 2-story, $17,500. Livingston City Municipal Court. Originally each of the friezes on the building were buff colored with white lettering, but were painted white with black lettering black in the 1950s. The courthouse Annex has very few modifications to the original design. The Board of Commissioners selected Swartout, Johnson’s Bluff, and Springfield as suitable places for a county seat. Two doors, one in front and one in the southside of the building, single story. The original mantels have been placed in storage. The floor plan was symmetrically divided into two offices on each of two floors by a 40-inch wide switchback stair. Present Status: Existing. Concrete steps shown in the original drawings were upgraded to brick. P O Drawer 2119 Livingston, TX 77351 (936) 327-6805 Phone (936) 327-6874. Its county seat is Livingston. It is our goal to make our services as convenient and accessible as possible to customers. Polk County Court in Livingston, Texas. Polk County Fresh Water Dist. The south side of the building has no floors due to structural failures, but the north side interior is intact. (Polk County Commissioners’ Court Records, Dec. 5, 1904; page 425 Archives, Polk County Museum). Provided by the Texas Association of Counties Duties & Responsibilities of County Officials Active. Polk County Court in Livingston, Texas. “Polk County,” in New Handbook of Texas. 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