THE JEWEL OF THE PLAINS

ENTERPRISE PHOTO

Donley County Courthouse

Construction Began: 1890 Opened: 1891 Restored: 2003

Original Architects: Bulger & Rapp Restoration Architects: Volz & Associates

Original Contractors: Troutman Brothers

Restoration Contractors: Phoenix One

A Texas Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in the Romanesque Revival style, the Courthouse is unique for being asymmetrical – no two sides are alike.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8 to 5. Visitors Welcome!

On behalf of the elected officials and employees of Donley County, let me extend a warm welcome to our community.

Donley County is proud to be home to one of the finest county courthouses in the state. Called “The Jewel of the Plains,” it was built in 1890 and restored in 2003. The Courthouse is home to the Judge, County Attorney, and County Treasurer and is venue for the 100th District Judge. It also is the site for the meetings of the County Commissioners.

Visitors are welcome in the oldest functioning courthouse in the Panhandle. The courthouse grounds are the site of the county’s annual Saints’ Roost Celebration on July 2, 2022, and you will want to come by for the Christmas lighting ceremony as well on Saturday, November 26, 2022.

County government is directed by the Commissioners Court, comprised of four Commissioners, elected from each of the four precincts, and the county Judge, elected at large. Generally, Texas counties provide the essential things that make our communities livable: roads and bridges, law enforcement and corrections, a court system to protect our legal rights, secure storage of our important public records and protection against threats to public health and safety.

The Courthouse Annex

houses offices for tax collection, vehicle registration and transfers, and maintaining public records, deeds and birth certificates as well as voter registration and the supervision of elections. Justice Courts are maintained by the Justices of the Peace with offices in Hedley and in Clarendon. As provider of public safety, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for making Donley County one of the safest Donley County Judge communities in

John Howard, MD the area, if not the entire state. And we are proud to be able to provide 24hour on-duty officers, a rarity for a community of our size.

Emergency Medical Services are provided by the Associated Ambulance Authority, and we have, without a doubt, the finest emergency personnel in the region. Care is coordinated with tertiary care facilities in Amarillo and helicopter medevac is available when required.

The Volunteer Fire Departments of Clarendon, Howardwick, and Hedley are on call to protect life and property against a variety of threats, including fire, and the Clarendon department has an Dive Team ready to respond locally and to provide assistance area wide. Emergency Preparedness is coordinated through all our efforts, and we stand by, ready to assist.

Donley County is a great place to live, and we are pleased to have you join us.