Year Built: 1917
Architect: Henry Truman Phelps
The Kenedy County Courthouse is located in Sarita, Texas.
San Antonio architect Henry T. Phelps designed this classic 3-story courthouse for Willacy County in 1917. However, when Kenedy County was created from Willacy in 1921, the courthouse instantly became the Kenedy County courthouse. I believe it is the only Texas courthouse to have served two counties. For many years the courthouse exterior, brick and stone alike, was covered in white stucco. A recent restoration returned the courthouse to its original look.
A May 27, 2010 article in the Corpus Christi Caller Times includes this information: “Friday, county officials celebrate the completion of restorations to the 93-year-old building with a rededication ceremony at 10 a.m. [Kenedy County Judge] Garcia said county officials wanted it to look like old photographs portray it, before the decision was made decades ago to paint over the dark brick and add white stucco. The county spent more than $4 million to restore the courthouse its 1917 look. Back then it cost $19,000 to build, Garcia said. Architect Kim Williams [of TWC Architects of Austin] said many counties use funds from a state restoration grant established in the late 1990s by then Gov. George W. Bush, but Kenedy County had the funds ready and didn’t want to go through the grant application process, which can take awhile. Because of years of neglect and moisture, crews had to completely remove all brick and stone from the outside of the building and start from scratch. The reason for a good portion of the deterioration was the added stucco exterior. ‘It did more harm than good. It trapped moisture inside and created mold and rust,’ Williams said.”
From 254 Texas Courthouses Website.
