Preparations are underway, marking the beginning of phase two of the cupola repair at the Blanco County Courthouse in Johnson City. The historic building’s decorative cupola is more than a century old and was not included in the 1997 renovations.
“Phase two has begun,” said Blanco County Judge Brett Bray, who answered questions from the News in an email this week. “It’s in the very early preparation stages of perimeter fence being installed and some materials being offloaded. Unfortunately, the contract calls for a longer period of time than I earlier discussed with the newspaper. It allows for 14 months from the beginning of work, which could be April or May of 2026.”
Bray said that the contractor has told him that the project might be completed by the end of the year.
The first phase of the project wrapped up last November. Phase one work included the welding and scaffolding structures necessary to stabilize the cupola prior to phase two, which is the actual restoration and repair. The county set aside $155,000, to pay for phase one.
“The contract calls for approximately $2.5 million for the (phase two) project,” Bray said. “This includes a complete renovation of the actual cupola, the minidome, as well as replacement of the entire metal roof. The extreme hailstorm in the Spring of 2024 was inspected by insurance adjusters and a replacement was needed. We elected to do it as a part of the overall project on the courthouse roof. We’re not intending to do any additional public financing and we plan to pay for phase two out of general budgeting measures.”
Bray said that around $300,000, of insurance proceeds will also go toward payment of the contract.
JC Stoddard Construction, which is based in San Antonio, is the general contractor for the project. The company has worked with the Texas Historical Commission and local governments on at least 15 courthouse restoration and revitalization projects around the state, according to the company’s website.
“We selected them with the help of our architect, Stan Klein, and our Engineer, Jeff Smith, largely because of their experience and expertise with historic structures including other county courthouses,” Bray said. “Stoddard will be hiring the subcontractors. I believe that most have already been engaged.”
Texas is renowned for its historic courthouses dating to the late 1800s and into the 20th century. Blanco County is complimented by two courthouses—the Old Blanco County Courthouse that was built in 1885 in the city of Blanco—and the larger Blanco County Courthouse in Johnson City. The then-new courthouse was accepted by the county commissioners court in a grand ceremony on Sept. 16, 1916.
One county courthouse in the Hill Country became known when it was destroyed by an act of arson, causing folks around the state to reflect on their own stately structures.
“The Mason County Courthouse incident stirs emotion because of the dramatic way in which they came to do the rebuild,” Bray said. “I know it was heartbreaking for Judge (Jerry) Bearden and the rest of the folks in Mason County to watch their beautiful courthouse go up in flames. It’s amazing to see the replacement now that the work is done. It shows that there is an emotional attachment for many of the courthouses around Texas. They are a centerpiece of the county, a source of pride for their citizens, and, in many cases, works of architectural beauty.”
Each of the two local courthouses has its own architectural personality.
“In our case, Blanco County is blessed with two such structures by two different designers – the old courthouse and the current courthouse, which is more than 110 years old,” Bray said. “There are many interesting aspects of the history of our current courthouse. Just one example is the preservation of the Guardianship papers for the two daughters of President Lyndon Johnson.”
