Old Cora, Oldest Existing Log Courthouse in Texas

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Old Cora, Comanche, Texas

Known as the oldest existing log courthouse in Texas, the tiny courthouse that has come to be known as Old Cora, housed the Comanche County records from 1856 until the county seat was moved to the soon to be established town of Comanche, Texas in July of 1859.

Old Cora originally sat about twelve miles southeast of today’s town of Comanche in the little settlement known as Cora, the original county seat of Comanche County, Texas. Of course at that time, she was simply referred to as “the courthouse.” Today, this historic building rests under the Fleming Oak (You will find the first half of Mart Fleming's story on another blog) on the southwest corner of the courthouse square.

 

Want to see or visit Cora today? http://www.texansunited.com/comanche/old-cora

 

Old Cora is a great photo op. I also used to take students inside twelve at a time and install them as a jury and then add a judge, etc. until I had the right number of bodies inside because inside Cora is exactly where the first murder trial in Comanche County was held.

 

Of course no one, me included, can believe that people used to cramp up together like that.

[Lethalrancher]

great posting Ms. Jones....wonder if you might be related to Jones' in ....shooooot....can you believe it....mind went blank.....small town south of San Angelo.....I cannot believe this.....will have to look at the map.....dad gum it.......Lethalrancher......anyway.....Roy Jones....came from the small town...to Austin.....lives presently in Liberty Hill TX.   we go back to Texas Dept. of Health as co workers..........his daddy was deputy sheirff for hard to prononunce and harder to spell county of said small town....ha....ha.....Scheilecher county.....Lethalrancher

[Lethalrancher]

Got it now.......Eldorado.....good night nurse......Lethalrancher

[Fredda Davis Jones]

I don't think there is a relation there, but not sure. Our uncle Roy Jones has passed away, but he was living in the metroplex. If you were at the dedication, you must be either a buff like I am or a member of the SCV.

[Sam Talley]

From what material was the chimney made? And why not the entire structure?

 

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Sam, I believe it is made of a native stone. I'm just about a mile from it so I will be sure I am right. There weren't many stone structures built here at that time...probably for a lot of reasons, but it was much easier to throw up the logs.

Plus, this was actually the Baggett cabin when it was built. They moved out of the settlement to a place eventually named Baggett about the time Comanche County was formed and the cabin was empty so it became the courthouse.

When the county seat became Comanche, a picket courthouse was built in Comanche and this one was once again vacant in 1859. Then, in 1860 the Baggetts were attacked by Indians, a son killed, and a daughter wounded badly. They moved back into the settlement, and since the cabin was vacant again, they moved back into it. Somewhere I have a written statement to this written by a Baggett boy who was born in this cabin after the family moved back in. Thanks!

[Sam Talley]

It would seem to me, although I know nothing about the area, that a reasonable prudent person would use the stone to build a complete, safe, and fireproof place even if they had to live in the log place until the permanent one was built.

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Well, it would be reasonableand prudent if the area where the people settled was a rocky area and if they had the time to do that rather than just trying to survive....or if it was a family of nearly grown sons to help undertake such a big thing. The Cunningham family had 12 children, many big boys, and they settled where there were rocks. They did build a rock structure, and the others used it to fort up many times.

But you have to remember, we are talking about 1855 in Indian Territory...not sure anything any of them did reasonable and prudent, especially bringing their families into such a mess!  :)

These appear to river stones

[Sam Talley]

I see. I viewed the chimney, or chimneys, as something like sandstone because they look so symmetrical. I'd sure like to be able to say I visited the place. Thanks

[Fredda Davis Jones]

We'd love to have you any time!

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Janice: I am ashamed to say that I drove by without getting out and looking...It is entirely possible that you are right. The little  courthouse sat just off of the  river, and I just made an assumption, stupid, I know! If I can remember, I will run down and do and inspection.

 

For the times, daug and wattle would make more sense, but I'll check for you.