Marion County is named for Francis Marion, who was a general during the American Revolutionary War.
Created: February 8, 1860
County Seat:
Jefferson 1860 – present
County Courthouse – Jefferson
Location: 102 West Austin Street / South Polk Street
Built: 1912 – 1913
Style: Texas Renaissance and Classical Revival
Architect: Elmer George Withers
Contractor: L R Wright and L O Hitchcock
Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story yellow colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Jefferson. The northwest front has a large porch with two high white colored columns. The recessed entrance has a small pediment above the doorway. The south side has a a similar porch. A balustrade runs along the flat roof line. The base of the building is dark brown colored brick.
See: The architect, Elmer George Withers, designed a similar courthouse in Roberts County in western Texas.
Murphy Building – Jefferson
Location: 114 West Austin Street / South Polk Street
Built: 1850′s
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: John C Murphy and James M Murphy
Contractor: John C Murphy and James M Murphy
Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located in the center of Jefferson to the southwest of the courthouse. The northwest front has a central entrance and the roof line is flat. The building contains a courtroom.
Note: The building served as the courthouse from 1884 until 1912. The brothers John C Murphy and James M Murphy built this structure as a warehouse in the riverfront district. In 1884 the building was remodeled for county offices and courts. In 1915 it became the City Hall. In 1983, the building became a county office.
Courthouses:
N – Morris County and Cass County
E – Caddo Parish, Louisiana
S – Harrison County
W – Upshur County
County Courthouse – Jefferson
Muphy Building – Jefferson
Photos taken 2010, 2017 and 2019