Dallas County's Old Red Courthouse Will Soon Be a Courthouse Again

[TexasTowelie]

Dallas County’s Old Red Courthouse, built in 1892 and home to a museum since 2007, will soon be a courthouse again.
Via Google Maps


For the first time in years, the Old Red Courthouse in downtown Dallas will again be used as a courthouse. And the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History, which has occupied the space since 2007, will be moving.

“Dispersed is not the right word,” museum director Evelyn Montgomery says. “And the most important thing is that the museum’s collection and all items are safe under our care and insured. But instead of being all in one building, we will have the opportunity to spread our mission and our exhibits out over probably seven county buildings: three of them in the West End and then four satellite government centers where they would like to have some history displays.”

Plans to make the historic 1892 courthouse a courthouse again have been gestating for several years. Worries about relatively anemic attendance at a museum dedicated to local history—and what it costs Dallas County—have been around for even longer. As have concerns over how to make a big 19th century courthouse with its airy spaces and high ceilings function as office space for attorneys and county employees.

But now it’s official: Following renovations that are scheduled for early next year, the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals will move in, vacating its current digs at the George Allen Courthouse across the street.

Read more: https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2021/09/dallas-countys-old-red-courthouse-will-soon-be-a-courthouse-again/

[rsdsharp]

1. JFK rode right past it, then turned right on Houston, left on Elm,

and on to his assassination. All in less than a minute.