Texas County Courthouses

Dallas County Courthouse

Dallas, Texas

Completed - 1891
Architect - Maximillian A. Orlopp, Jr.
Photos: Robert Deering 2/1/2013

Other Dallas County Courts Buildings

COUNTY ORGANIZED: March 30, 1846

COUNTY NAMED FOR: George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States

COUNTY SEATS: One - Dallas

COUNTY SEAT NAMED FOR: Same as County

COURTHOUSES: Eight - 1846, 1848, 1857, 1871, 1891, 1915, 1966, 1983

STANDING: Four - 1891, 1915, 1966, and 1983

The Dallas County Courthouse, built in 1891 of red sandstone rusticated marble accents, is a historic governmental building located at 100 South Houston Street in Dallas, Texas. Also known as the Old Red Courthouse, it is now the Old Red Museum, a local history museum. It was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture by architect Max A. Orlopp, Jr.of the Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1966 it was replaced by a newer courthouse building nearby.

The original clock tower had to be removed in 1919 due to structural weakness, but it was restored in 2007 during a renovation project. Rededication May 15, 2007

1891 Courthouse
With Originaal Clock Tower

1891 Courthouse
TXDoT Photo 1939

1891 Courthouse
Photo: Robert Deering 1973

RENOVATION: Complete - Rededication May 15, 2007

ADDRESS: 100 S Houston St, Dallas, Texas

Dallas County Courts Buildings

Dallas, Texas

In addition to the historical 1891 County Courthouse, Dallas County has several modern Courts Buildings to house Family Law, Civil Law, Crminal Law, etc.

Criminal Courts BuildingCriminal Courts Building		George L. Allen Courts Building


Completed - 1915 Architect - H. A. Overbeck Photos: Robert Deering 2/1/2013		Completed - 1966 Architect - The Associated Architects and Engineers Photos: Robert Deering 2/1/2013
100 N Houston St., Dallas, Texas		600 Commerce St, Dallas, Texas

Famous characters that have spent time here include Clyde Barrow (of Bonnie and Clyde), but is probably best known as the location where Jack Ruby shot JFK Assassin Lee Harvey Oswald in 1963. The building has been largely abandoned since 1966, but is currently being renovated (2021) as part of a the Dallas County Records building complex that will join three buildings together at the back of the Criminal Courts Building.		This building is currently used primarily for civil and family law. It was the county's main jail from 1966 - 1983 with room for 800 inmates at the top of the building.

Frank Crowley Courts Building

Completed - 1983
Architect - Coe Design Group Inc.
Photos: Robert Deering 6/18/2016

133 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, Texas

The Frank Crowley Courts Building is used for criminal law and is part of the Lew Sterrett Justice Center complex, which includes the Dallas County Sherriff's office and jail facilities.