Rep. J.D. Sheffield (Texas House District 59), San Saba Judge Byron Theodosis, and Texas Historical Commission (THC) Vice-Chair John Crain, participated with more than 100 community members to rededicate the 1911 San Saba County Courthouse on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
The Texas Historical Commission provided $4,665,550 in a matching grant to San Saba County in 2016, part ofthe agency’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, which has fully restored more than 70 courthouses across the state and funded important restoration projects in dozens of others.
The county’s newly restored double-height courtroom played host to the event, where a reopened balcony — which has been closed to the public and obscured by drop ceilings - was filled with excited San Saba citizens.
“We are very glad to be a part of [the appropriations committee],” Rep. J.D. Sheffield told the audience. “We think that’s the reason we’re here, to help folks in the district like the good people of San Saba County.”
Although there were two county courthouses before this one, the Classic Revival style courthouse has stood the test of time since 1911, with its striking domed clock tower, two-story columns and inscription, “From the People, to the People.”
The successful restoration project included a new electrical system, new HVAC system, site drainage work, and preparatory work to facilitate rehabilitation of the District Courtroom, which has now been beautifully restored to its original double height.
The ceremony included words from elected officials, the San Saba County Commissioners Court, representatives from the San Saba Community Foundation, the San Saba Community Band, local Pastor Mark Smith, and concluded with entertainment provided by the Sound of Texas’ Tumbleweed Smith.
“This program brings together the community and the State of Texas to preserve Texas’ historic treasures and make them more valuable as functioning buildings,” said THC Architecture Division Director Sharon Fleming. “The building’s integrity can go on to serve future generations without sacrificing historical features.”
For more information about the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, visit the THC website at thc.texas.gov, or contact the THC’s Architecture Division at 512.463.6094.
About THC’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program -
Since 1999, nearly $295 million has been awarded to more than 70 counties for the preservation of their county courthouses. The program aims to restore Texas’ county courthouses to their original splendor to make them safe, functional, and a source of pride for their communities. The program has served as an important economic engine for Texas. Courthouse restorations have generated 10, 898 jobs throughout Texas, and more than $44 million in state and local taxes. The 86th Texas Legislature included $25 million in bond funding to continue future grant rounds of the program.