Erected in 1893, the Somervell County Courthouse's civic function is visibly expressed through its strong, dignified and symmetrical architectural style. This ashlar masonry style, inspired by Henry Hobson Richardson's adaptation of the Romanesque mode. Use has also been made of several elements of the General Grant style, also extremely popular at the time, such as the mansard roof and ornamental cresting.


Representing Texas' third smallest county, this sturdy and simply designed courthouse was built in 1893 by John Carmachiel at the cost of $13,500. It had been built on the site of an as yet unfinished predecessor, work having been halted due to the continuing repercussions of the Panic of 1873 that had severely affected the Somervell area. A fire early in 1893 completely doomed this first courthouse, but a determined Commissioners' Court quickly ordered that a two story stone structure with a fireproof vault be built in its place mat fall the present courthouse, with its Richardsonian Romanesque detailing and handsome clock tower atop the mansard roof, was completed.