| Caldwell County Courthouse | |
| Nrhp Type: | cp |
| Partof: | Caldwell County Courthouse Historic District |
| Partof Refnum: | 78002902 |
| Location: | Courthouse Sq. Lockhart, Texas |
| Coordinates: | 29.8844°N -97.6717°W |
| Locmap Relief: | yes |
| Built: | - |
| Builder: | Martin, Brynes and Johnston |
| Architect: | Alfred Giles |
| Architecture: | Second Empire |
| Designated Nrhp Type: | January 3, 1978 |
| Designated Other1: | TSAL |
| Designated Other1 Date: | January 1, 1981 |
| Designated Other1 Number: | 8200000149 |
| Designated Other1 Num Position: | bottom |
| Designated Other2: | RTHL |
| Designated Other2 Date: | 1976 |
| Designated Other2 Number: | 9760 |
| Designated Other2 Num Position: | bottom |
The Caldwell County Courthouse is a historic courthouse located in Lockhart, Texas, United States.[1] [2] The courthouse was built in 1894 to replace the existing courthouse, which was too small for the growing county. The courthouse was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1976 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property of the Caldwell County Courthouse Historic District on January 3, 1978.[3]
The courthouse was built in the Second Empire architectural style, with the design often attributed to Alfred Giles; however, recent research indicates the building was designed by Henry E.M. Guidon, who eventually became partners with Giles.[4] The courthouse is nearly identical to the courthouse in Goliad County, Texas, as it was built from the same Guidon plans.
The exterior of the three-story courthouse is built with cream-colored limestone and red sandstone. The central clock tower houses a four-faced Seth Thomas Clock Company clock and a 900-pound bell. The mansard roof of the courthouse is characteristic of Second Empire design.
The exterior has been featured in the films What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and Waiting for Guffman (1996).[5]