The Old Red Courthouse, originally the Dallas County Courthouse, was constructed from 1890 to 1892 and is a celebrated example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, designed by architect Max A. Orlopp, Jr. The building’s signature red sandstone walls earned it the nickname “Old Red.” It features a monumental design including eight turrets, grand arches, and a soaring clock tower originally topped with a massive bell weighing 4,500 pounds.
Throughout its history, the courthouse has played host to many significant events including a notable temperance lecture by prohibitionist Carrie Nation in 1904 and President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade passing nearby just before his assassination in 1963. Though the original clock tower was removed in 1919 due to instability, it was restored during renovations in the early 2000s. The building was converted into the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture in 2007.
The photograph by Carol M. Highsmith captures the courthouse’s reddish stone glowing in natural light, revealing its elaborate masonry and symbolic architectural details like terra cotta wyverns perched on the roof, emblematic of a medieval tradition to ward off evil.
Today, the building remains a Dallas landmark combining history, architecture, and civic pride, and as of 2025, it is set to return to use as a courthouse for the Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Features:
High-resolution photograph of the 1892 Old Red Courthouse by Carol M. Highsmith
Showcases Richardsonian Romanesque style with striking red sandstone and turrets
Captures architectural details, historic significance, and recent restoration efforts
Printed on archival-quality paper for lasting color and detail fidelity
Available in multiple sizes with framing options
Ideal for collectors, historians, architects, educators, and Texas history enthusiasts
Includes historical context about the building’s prominent events, design, and cultural impact
Own a vivid visual tribute to one of Dallas’s most iconic historical structures, reflecting architectural grandeur and local heritage.
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Striking 2014 photograph of the Old Red Courthouse, a historic landmark built in 1892 in Dallas County, Texas. An exemplary Romanesque Revival architectural masterpiece known for its iconic red sandstone and distinctive clock tower.
