HISTORY

This stop takes Mocha to the Brooks County Courthouse in Falfurrias, Texas, a beautiful historic landmark in the heart of South Texas.

Built in 1914, the courthouse was designed by noted Texas architect Alfred Giles in the Classical Revival style. Its stately columns, brick exterior, and graceful arched windows have watched over Falfurrias for more than a century.

But getting a courthouse built wasn’t quite so simple. In 1912, Brooks County voters approved a bond election by an overwhelming 344 to 9. However, the project was delayed while a portion of the county sought to separate and become Jim Hogg County.

After another successful bond election in 1914, the new courthouse became a source of community pride. Its opening was celebrated with a parade led by the local high school band and a public picnic. Now that’s a proper South Texas celebration!

The courthouse was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

But Mocha discovered something else about Falfurrias, too.

Unlike some courthouses surrounded by busy streets and concrete sidewalks, Brooks County’s courthouse has something especially appealing to a German Shorthaired Pointer: beautiful green grass and plenty of shade trees!

Mocha took her time inspecting the grounds, enjoying the South Texas sunshine and surveying the courthouse from her favorite vantage point: the lawn.

For a dog on a mission to visit all 254 Texas county courthouses, sometimes the simplest pleasures make a stop memorable.

MOCHA’S PAW SCORE

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 5 Paw Pairs! For the beautiful lawn, shady trees, and excellent courthouse sniff-around opportunities.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 5 Paw Pairs! For more than a century of South Texas history and a courthouse worthy of its own parade.

BONUS PAW: 🐾 Any courthouse that offers Mocha a comfortable patch of grass deserves a little extra recognition!

FINAL VERDICT: Brooks County is Mocha Approved!