Williamson County Courthouse Historical District

Georgetown's courthouse square forms the core of this historic district, where blocks of one- and two-story commercial buildings face the Williamson County Courthouse on all four sides. Most are native limestone Victorian storefronts built between 1870 and 1902, with cast iron fronts, pressed tin cornices and a few exterior iron stairways. Later styles appear too, including Richardsonian Romanesque, Classical Revival, Beaux Arts and Art Deco. The Classical Revival courthouse, designed by C. H. Page and Brother of Austin and built by W. C. Whitney, rises from the center of the square under a dome topped by a figure of Justice. The district is significant because the square's plan remains unaltered and many original buildings survive, making it one of the most complete examples of a 19th century Texas public square. Skilled Swedish and German stone masons and local builders such as C. S. Belford contributed to the workmanship. Upper floors are largely unaltered, and several buildings have been restored.