Bee County Courthouse

Bee County was created in 1857 from parts of five neighboring counties. The first county seat was located seven miles east of this site, and the first commissioners court was held on the banks of Medio Creek in February 1858. The city's earliest courthouse consisted of a box frame structure. In 1912, local architect W. C. Stephenson designed this, the county's fourth courthouse. A native of Buffalo, New York, Stephenson aided in the design of the death mask of President William McKinley. He was the architect of several Beeville buildings, including the Rialto Theater, two churches and several houses, and later designed the Classical Revival McMullen County courthouse. W. C. Whitney, builder of three other Texas courthouses, contracted to build the Bee County courthouse for $72,050. Whitney died during construction and W. C. Stephenson's partner, Fritz Heldenfels, completed the project. Stephenson drew upon the strong contemporary influence of the French Beaux Arts School with a level of grandeur previously nonexistent in Bee County. Some original Beaux Arts features such as the cast stone balustrade originally outlining the roof were later removed, and the 1943 addition partially obscured the symmetrical plan and façade of the edifice. The Bee County courthouse is a fine example of the Classical Revival style. Of particular significance are the grand portico and projecting pediment entry with Corinthian columns and dentils along the roofline. The Chicago-style windows, comprised of one glass pane flanked by two narrower ones, with transoms above, are noteworthy. Also unusual is Stephenson's lady of justice; unlike most such symbols, she is not depicted as blind. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000

Bee County Courthouse is a historical marker in Beeville, Bee County, dedicated in 2000. It is one of 37 historical markers documented in Bee County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 91 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 28.4016, -97.7484 near Beeville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Beeville on the Poesta (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr., Praeger Building, and Commerical National Bank.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5025012317. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.