Fannin County is named for James Walker Fannin Jr., who was the commander of a group of Texans killed in the Goliad Massacre.
Created: December 14. 1837
County Seat:
Bonham 1846 – present
County Courthouse – Bonham
Location: 100 East Sam Rayburn Drive / North Center Street
Built: 1888 – 1889
Style: Art Deco
Architect: Wesley Clark Dodson and Dudley
Contractor: Kane & Cormack
Description: The building faces south and is a three story limestone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The south front has a projecting center section with recessed entrance on the first story. Above are vertical narrow windows with clock at the top. On the east and west are projecting sections with vertical windows. The roof line is flat. The building was restored in 1929 to 1930 after a fire. The architect was Sparger & Peters and the contractor was Allen & Bragg. The building was remodeled in 1965. The architect was Fred Buford & Associates of Dallas and the contractor was B-F-W Construction Company of Temple, Arizona. The building is being remodeled to reflect the courthouse as it was in 1889. The architect was Architexas and the contractor was J Q Engineers.
See: The architect, Wesley Clark Dodson of Waco, also designed the courthouses in Coryell County, Denton County, Hill County, Hood County, Lampasas County and Parker County.
Note: Courthouses were built in 1838, 1840, 1843 and 1881. Plans are being developed to restore the courthouse to its original design at a cost of $16,700,000.
Temporary County Courthouse – Bonham
Location: 210 South Main Street / South 3rd Street
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern Church
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a one story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds to the south of the courthouse. The building was originally a church. The courtroom is located on the northwest side. The roof is hipped.
Courthouses:
N – Bryan County, Oklahoma
E – Lamar County
S – Delta County, Hunt County and Collin County
W – Collin County and Grayson County
County Courthouse
Courthouse restoration 2019
Picture 1889 Courthouse
Temporary County Courthouse
Photos taken 2010 and 2019