Old Morris County Courthouse
Also known as: Morris County Museum
Why it's listed
Built in 1882 in Daingerfield, this two-story brick courthouse was the first permanent seat of government for Morris County, one of the smallest counties in Texas. The local firm of Peterson and Stuckey constructed it for $5,500, following a contract that required it to be identical to the courthouse in neighboring Franklin County. Plain detailing, a low hipped roof, a cupola and a projecting false portico with corbeled brick pilasters define its appearance. The plan stepped out from a central block so that eighteen rooms had corner windows for light and ventilation. Interior remodeling around 1920 and 1950 changed the original cross-hall layout. The building also holds civic associations: John Levi Sheppard worked here as district attorney and judge before entering Congress in 1900, and his son Morris Sheppard began a forty-two year congressional and Senate career in 1903. After a new courthouse replaced it in 1972, the building avoided demolition and became a county museum and historical society headquarters.
Significance in brief: It was the first permanent seat of government in Morris County, one of the smallest counties in Texas, formed in 1875. Its contract required it to match the courthouse in nearby Franklin County, and its plan gave eighteen rooms corner windows for light and ventilation. It is also tied to John Levi Sheppard and his son Morris Sheppard, both prominent in the U.S. Congress.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002997, listed December 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 Linda Dr., Daingerfield |
|---|---|
| County | Morris County |
| Listed | December 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002997 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Peterson and Stuckey |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good structural repair with largely unaltered exterior; since 1972 used as a county museum and offices of the county historical society. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.03174, -94.72165 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002997.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q55627443
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.