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June 29, 2008 | Lee County Courthouse

Texas County Courthouse Project #2: Lee County (Giddings, Texas)

Lee County (named in honor of Robert E. Lee) was not established until 1874, formed from parts of four surrounding counties. The county became necessary so that residents of the newly founded town of Giddings would not have to travel so far to the county seat. In the late 1600’s a route was established from San Antonio de Béxar to missions in East Texas. This route passed through the future Lee County and became to be known as El Camino Real and then later as Old San Antonio Road. Before that the area was home to the Tonkawa Indians.

The county seat of Giddngs is 55 miles east of Austin. The town is named for Jabez Deming Giddings, a railroad official and stockholder of the Houston and Texas Central Railway which came through the area in 1871 creating the town. It might have also been named for his brother DeWitt C. Giddings, a local politician.

The Romanesque Revival style courthouse was built in 1897 by James Riely Gordon who designed several courthouses throughout Texas and other states in this style.

This was the second courthouse stop on our way to Bastrop. As you drive through Giddings the courthouse is not obviously seen, so unfortunately many just passing through have no idea its there. I’m defiantly looking forward to seeing the other J. Riely Gordon courthouses as this is probably my favorite so far.

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Texas County Courthouse Project

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