The Titus County Courthouse was built in 1895, but currently looks nothing like its original brick exterior with a large bell tower on top. The building underwent a couple of modernistic renovations, one of which earned it the title of “Ugliest Courthouse in Texas,” although there are other contenders. In the 1990s, the building was restored to its 1940s Art Deco – Moderne appearance. Now I think it’s starkly beautiful.
The ugliest courthouse in Texas? Yes, definitely we needed to put the Titus County Courthouse on our field trip list.
On a recent trip to Texas, family members and I were looking for interesting historical destinations in northeast Texas. Visiting courthouses usually takes you to scenic and historic areas in each county. There are 254 counties in Texas, so there are a lot of courthouses to visit. A quick search online in our desired area found several notable destinations. One place stood out: The Titus County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant was named as The Ugliest Courthouse in Texas. (There are several contenders to that title, according to several websites devoted to Texas.)
Actually, the Titus County Courthouse didn’t look that ugly in the photo — just dramatically changed from its original appearance when it sported a brown brick exterior and a large bell tower. Bell towers on top of courthouses fell out of favor when they began to fall during high winds during severe Texas weather, so they aren’t usually a feature on Texas courthouses in modern times. The Titus County Courthouse, built in 1895, is the fifth courthouse building in Titus County. The current courthouse underwent a couple of renovations, including one that did look hideous, but the building was restored in the 1990s to its 1940s appearance of Art Deco and Moderne, which I think is attractive. One quirk is that a loudspeaker blasts music, news and commercials from an area radio station in the area around the courthouse. One website noted this, and we discovered it was true. It was a Sunday and otherwise quiet in the courthouse neighborhood.
Mount Pleasant is a Texas Main Street City.
Titus County Courthouse, Mount Pleasant, Texas.
Photograph by Catherine Sherman.
Click on these thumbnails to see full-size photographs.
We also discovered one of the most beautiful courthouses in Texas, the Old Harrison County Courthouse, which I’ll write about in another post, and also include other Texas courthouses.
Old Harrison County Courthouse, Marshall, Texas Postcard.
Photograph by Catherine Sherman.
Titus County Courthouse: The Ugliest Courthouse in Texas
254 Texas Courthouses Website.
A Link to Several of My Courthouse Photographs in Colorado, Kansas and Texas.
Catherine Sherman 
I didn’t know we had ugly courthouses in Texas unless it is the old Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi that has been abandoned for years and sits like a derelict ship. The one is Marshall is certainly a gem!
LikeLike
I didn’t think the Titus County Courthouse was ugly. I think it was just a joke, since it was so dramatically changed in appearance in the 1940s. The 1960s renovation, though, was pretty ugly. Glad that was stripped off. The courthouse in Marshall is absolutely gorgeous.
LikeLike
Interesting, Catherine. All in the eye of the beholder, I guess. They, some, can certainly be quite sterile looking…
The Court House in Marshall reminds me of Gaudi’s architecture. 🙂
xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in love with the architecture of the newer downtown Austin courthouse! One of the most attractive buildings in the city in my opinion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to see it. I’ll be in Austin this weekend for a wedding, so there probably won’t be time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have a wonderful time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Wish we could stay longer.
LikeLike
Quite a way to name a place of justice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person