Presidio County Courthouse
Why it's listed
Rising from a flat, treeless plain in Marfa, this brick and stone courthouse was completed in 1886 and still serves as the seat of Presidio County government. Alfred Giles, a San Antonio architect, won the contract from nineteen bidders, and the building was modeled after the El Paso County Courthouse. Its design blends Second Empire and Italianate elements: corner pavilions with Mansard roofs, dormers and iron cresting, stone quoins, triangular pediments over the entrances, and an octagonal central tower topped by a statue of the goddess of justice. Inside, corridors meet at a circular rotunda, with county offices on the ground floor, the district courtroom on the second floor and a grand jury room on the third. Pecan wood fittings survive, and the building keeps much of its original character. It was judged significant for its architecture and for its long role as the center of local law, order and justice. It is the only courthouse in Marfa's history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it has both architectural and governmental significance. It combines Second Empire and Italianate details and is called one of the finest nineteenth-century buildings in the Marfa area. It has also been the center of law and justice proceedings since its completion.
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 77001467, listed December 20, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Public Sq., Marfa |
|---|---|
| County | Presidio County |
| Listed | December 20, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001467 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886 |
| Architect / builder | Attributed to Alfred Giles |
| Architectural style | Second Empire style incorporating Italianate details |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continues to serve its original function as the county courthouse; the interior has been refinished in recent years and a Junior Historian Museum occupies part of the second floor. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Central Marfa Historic District |
| Coordinates | 30.31324, -104.02200 (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 77001467.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7241528
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.