East Texas Quarterly Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 18

Visit Historic
Shelby County
Margaret Wilson and Jesse Amason donated the
townsite in 1856 or 1857. In an 1866 election Center
became the county seat, in one of Texas’ county seat
disputes. In August 1866 the county records were
stolen and brought to Center, putting an end to the
dispute. A post office opened
there the same year - further
cementing the permanence of
seat of county government.

The courthouse and matching (former) jail make
Center an East Texas weekend destination in itself.
The spacious square shows the two buildings to their
best advantage, however there’s more. Right in the

In 1882 the courthouse burned.
It was replaced by the current
courthouse which is usually
regarded as one of the
handsomest in Texas .
The 1885 Romanesque Revival
courthouse is worth driving out
of the way to see. Inspired by
the castles in his native Ireland,
architect John Gibson also
included a fenced cupola in this
handsome and unusual brick
building.

Top: the Historic Shelby County Courthouse in Center, Texas. Bottom; The Woodman of the
World parade on the Center Square in 1903.

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East Texas Quarterly