Caldwell County Courthouse Historic District

Lockhart's courthouse square forms a historic district of about 25 acres, with 84 buildings. At its center is the three-story Caldwell County Courthouse of 1893, a Second Empire building designed by San Antonio architect Alfred Giles and built by Martin, Byrnes and Johnston. Its mansard roof, corner towers and tall clock tower rise above the square. Around it, unbroken rows of one- and two-story Victorian commercial buildings face the courthouse on all four sides. Most date from the 1890s and early 1900s and are built of brick or limestone with elaborate brickwork, brick pilasters, parapets, cast-iron storefront columns and arched windows. The district also includes a jail, two churches, a library and one residence. A few modern buildings, such as banks, gas stations and a car dealership, sit mainly along the edges. The courthouse still serves county government and keeps much of its original interior, including furnishings, wainscoting and a carved stair balustrade. The district is recognized as a notable example of a Texas courthouse square.