Old Reagan County Courthouse
Also known as: Stiles Courthouse
Why it's listed
Standing alone on what remains of the Public Square in Stiles, Texas, this two-story limestone courthouse was completed in 1911 as the first substantial courthouse in Reagan County. Contractor William Martin of Comanche built it from native stone quarried half a mile away and hauled by mule- and donkey-drawn wagons. Its four identical, symmetrical facades have a projecting arched portico, and the interior follows a Greek cross plan. A separate limestone records vault stands to the east. Stiles was the county's only town when the county was organized in 1903, but a railroad bypassed it in 1912 and the oil boom at Big Lake led voters to move the county seat there in 1925. The old courthouse then hosted parties, barbecues and dances, and served briefly as a school. It was last occupied in the early 1950s and has deteriorated, though the county now plans restoration for community use.
Significance in brief: It was the first substantial courthouse built in Reagan County and served as the seat of county government until the seat moved to Big Lake in 1925. Afterward it served as a community gathering place and briefly as a school. It is the main survivor of the declining town of Stiles.
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 78002976, listed May 5, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off TX 137, Stiles |
|---|---|
| County | Reagan County |
| Listed | May 5, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002976 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1911 |
| Architect / builder | William Martin |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unoccupied since the early 1950s and in an advanced state of deterioration; the county owner is pursuing restoration for future community use. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 31.40651, -101.56594 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78002976.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107323153
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.