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| Parker County, Weatherford, Texas |
As I began to visit and photograph Texas courthouses the term, "Second Empire," when describing the style of building kept being repeated in the Texas Historical Commission's plaque found at historical buildings. The best short description is found in Mavis P. Kelsey Sr and Donald H. Dyal's book, The Courthouses of Texas, page 15: "French Second Empire style evolved in Paris during the reign of Napoleon III and is characterized by classical ornamental details, mansard roofs, patterned slate shingles, dormers, high brick chimneys, crestings, bracketed cornices, quoins, stilted arches and pilasters.
Second Empire style was utilized by many Texas architects during the period following the Civil War, reached its zenith in the 1880's as it was replaced by Romanesque Revival and Beaux-Arts toward the end of the century.
Here are a few Second Empire style courthouses in Texas:
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| Hill County, Hillsboro, Texas |
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| Presidio County, Marfa, Texas |
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| Wharton County, Wharton, Texas |
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| Newton County, Newton, Texas |
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| Hood County, Granbury, Texas |
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