Williamson County Courthouse

About

The Williamson County Courthouse is in the center of Georgetown. Surrounding it, on just about every side, are a variety of shops and restaurants, creating a more Victorian-style square that was once used for community gatherings and events.

Beautiful trees and green space surround the Williamson County Courthouse. It’s quite a prominent structure right in the heart of the city.

The neoclassical structure is certainly the focal point of the city’s business district and is still used as a place for government to operate. It’s actually the fifth building built to meet the needs of the county government. It was designed by C.H. Page, who has built numerous structures throughout the region.

The building features the ionic columns of a stately courthouse along with the balustrade detailing and classic pediment that makes buildings like this so stately. It’s quite stunning from the approach and well cared for.

The Williamson Museum helps to collect data and history about the courthouse and works to preserve it. It hosts free guided tours of the historic courthouse as a component of the work it does.

The tours are available on Fridays and start at 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. I suggested getting there early if you don’t want to wait and you want the ability to ask lots of questions.

There are periods when the museum is closed and, therefore, the tours are not available. However, the tour was great. It provided a lot of insight and information about the construction and overall development of the region around the courthouse.

I highly recommend it!

Fun Facts About Williamson County Courthouse

The Williamson County Courthouse is so tall and impressive that it can be seen on approach in numerous directions. Look for the peak at the top if you are visiting the city for the first time.

Originally built in 1909, the courthouse was renovated in 2007, but a lot of the original structure is still there. It’s really cool to walk through the building and see the various areas of the old building. It has undergone a few updates, but the structure is still impressively beautiful.

The renovation cost $9 million, with most of the focus on the interior. And while the inside isn’t nearly as impressive, the whole building is stunning in its historic charge.

Getting There

It’s not hard to find the courthouse due to its prominent nature right in the heart of the city. It sits between W. 7th ST. and W. 8th St. It’s rather easy to get to right off E. University Avenue.

Local Tips

Visit the whole Williamson County Courthouse Historic District when you visit. This district is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes numerous structures throughout the area.
Make sure to see some of the other must-see locations, which include the Williamson County Jail, the M.B. Lockett Building, the H.C. Craig Building, and the Georgetown Public Library.
If you are new to the area and want to find some great things to do while checking out the courthouse, go across S. Main St. You’ll find The Dainty Dow Jewelry Store, Hydrate on the Square (great smoothies here), and All Things Kids.
Be sure to walk the grounds of the courthouse. As you follow the paths, there are a few plaques and historical markers along the walk as well as near the building.
Be sure to check out the detailing of the building’s structure. It is built to last and is obviously impressive inside and out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you recommend for a one-day itinerary in Highland Lakes?

We'd recommend starting your day early with a hike up to Mount Bonnell (also known as Covert Park) to watch the sun come up over Lady Bird Lake. Afterward, you could grab a bite to eat at one of our favorite local breakfast spots -- Kirby Lane. Later in the afternoon, you could go for a swim in the pool at Barton Springs, and then catch happy hour out at The Oasis on Lake Travis. To end your day strong, we'd recommend that you take a drive to the Congress Avenue Bridge and watch the bats fly out at dusk. Afterward, you can catch dinner and some live music at one of the many nearby local restaurants.

What are the Highland Lakes in Texas?

Within the county borders, Highland Lake is home to five lakes: Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, and Lake Travis. These lakes, part of a seven-lake chain along the lower Colorado River in Central Texas, are the perfect playground from anyone who loves water activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and more.

What is the best time to visit the Highland Lake area in Texas?

The best times to visit the Highland Lakes area in Central Texas are during the spring and fall months.

The most beautiful months are March, April, May, and June when the flowers are blooming and the temperatures are in the 70s and lower 80s.

October and November are also great months with most of the days in the 70s.

The winters are mild with average daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s, and it seldom freezes.

The summer months from the middle of June to the middle of September can get a bit hot, with temperatures ranging from 94 to 97 degrees, but the lakes and altitude help to cool the area down.

What are the main events in the Highland Lakes, TX area?

* SXSW - March - This is THE premier destination for creatives. Since 1987, South by Southwest (SXSW) celebrates art in all its forms with festivals and conferences showcasing tech, film, music, education, and culture.

* ACL Fest - October - The Austin City Limits Music Festival - For two weekends in October, the ACL Fest features renowned and up-and-coming musicians on diverse stages in Austin's Zilker Park. One of the largest music festivals in the world offering pop, rock, folk, alt-country, blues, gospel, R&B and electronic music.

* Formula 1 US Grand Prix - October - The Circuit of the Americas in Austin has been welcoming F1 enthusiasts each Fall since 2012.