Volume 17 , Issue 20

Parker County, Texas Courthouse

As I was traveling thru Texas (I20 to Weatherford, Texas), I got caught at this stop light with a view of an outstanding white limestone courthouse structure that sets in the center square, at a roundabout, in Weatherford, Texas (Parker County Courthouse). They do not build magnificent structures like these anymore, do they?

Did you know the Parker county's first courthouse was built of rough pine lumber in 1856. It was replaced with a brick one in 1858, but that one was destroyed by fire in 1874. It was in 1878 the cornerstone was laid for a stone structure that too was burned down in a suspected arson. The fourth and present courthouse was completed in 1886 at a cost of $55,555.55! There is a Seth Thomas Clock installed in 1897 for $957. The Courthouse has recently been restored on the inside to bring back its classic beauty and original splendor from the turn of the century.

Did you also know that Parker County was created by the Texas State Legislature and named for pioneer and State Representative Isaac Parker? Parker was the uncle of legendary Cynthia Ann Parker, a little girl who was stolen from her home by Indians during the Texas Revolution. Cynthia Ann grew up among the Comanche and became the mother of the great Chief Quanah Parker. It was Isaac Parker who recognized Cynthia Ann as his long lost niece, when she was overtaken in flight with an Indian raiding party.

Weatherford, Texas was named for the State Senator of the district, Jefferson Weatherford of Dallas. Senator Weatherford never set foot in the town that bears his name. This is according to his cousin.
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