Tour the Hill County Courthouse
Nearly every Texas sketch artist, painter, photographer and visitor to town has fallen in love with our Hill County Courthouse. Not only is it stately, and in the middle of our historic downtown district, it's got an underdog story about how it has survived the years. It rose from the ashes, pulled the community together, and endures today. It's surrounded by businesses, shops and restaurants. The adjacent streets host the Hillsboro Farmers Market, Christmas Under the Stars Lighted Parade, and other downtown events each year.
Visitors can see the interior of the courthouse during regular hours Monday through Friday. Be sure to visit the amazing basement level restrooms while you're there.
Two-part video tour
Check out Part One of the video tour here as County Judge Justin Lewis gives the full story and tour of the building. You can see Part Two of the video tour of the courthouse by clicking HERE.
The Hill County Courthouse is a three-story limestone structure of Second Empire style, but it also incorporates Classical Revival and Italianate influences. Two-story high Corinthian columns, mansard roof treatment, and a wood framed three-tier 70-foot high clock tower covered with ornate tin work are the most conspicuous details of this regionally-influenced architectural marvel. This building is the third and arguably the grandest of three similar courthouses designed by architect W. C. Dodson in the last half of the 1880's.
Destroyed by fire on New Year's Day, 1993
On January 1, 1993, onlookers watched as an electrical fire engulfed the historic Hill County Courthouse. By the time firefighters were able to get the fire under control, only the four exterior limestone walls remained standing. The building’s 70-foot-tall bell tower had collapsed. The 1,525 pound bell, cast in Baltimore, rested on the ground of the district courtroom. Discussions of restoring the historic courthouse began immediately, and within 10 days of the fire, a county-wide meeting was called to put a funding action plan into place.
The restoration took six years to complete but had overwhelming community support, and Willie Nelson (who has roots in Hill County) performed fundraising concerts on the courthouse square.
The dedication of the newly-restored courthouse took place on April 24, 1999, with former President (then Texas Governor) George W. Bush as the keynote speaker.
