Coryell County Courthouse and Museum Spotlight World-Class Spur Collection, Log Jail

The Coryell County Museum in Gatesville is drawing renewed attention to two of its headline attractions: the Lloyd & Madge Mitchell Spur Collection, ranked among the world’s largest, and an 1855 log jail believed to be the last double-wall jail in existence. Both displays sit within a 24,450 square-foot museum that houses roughly 50 exhibits and serves as a focal point for local history and education.

The museum’s spur collection and log jail anchor a broader set of exhibits that include military and veterans displays and recreated period spaces such as a soda fountain, blacksmith shop, and a roster of antique cars. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays and offers free admission, with donations appreciated, making its collections widely accessible to families, students, and visitors. The prominence of these artifacts is likely to increase foot traffic to downtown Gatesville, supporting small businesses on the courthouse square and enhancing the county’s heritage-tourism profile.

Across the square, the Coryell County Courthouse stands as both an architectural landmark and an active seat of local government. Designed by architect W.C. Dodson and completed in 1898, the Romanesque/Beaux-Arts/Italian Renaissance Revival structure features red sandstone and limestone work, classical porticos, and a central tower. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse continues to house district and county courts and remains the focal point for downtown events and Veterans Plaza gatherings.

For Coryell County residents, the combined presence of an operating historic courthouse and a museum with internationally notable artifacts reinforces Gatesville’s role as a center for civic life and cultural preservation. The museum’s free admission and regular hours lower barriers to access, allowing local schools, veterans groups, and community organizations to use the collections for education and commemoration. The courthouse’s National Register status helps protect its architectural character and supports broader preservation efforts that can attract grant funding and technical assistance.

Economically, strengthened heritage offerings can translate into modest but meaningful local benefits: increased visitor stays, higher foot traffic during events, and additional patronage for downtown restaurants and shops. Maintaining and promoting these assets also preserves civic pride and continuity for long-time residents while offering new reasons for visitors to stop in Gatesville.

Plan a museum visit Wednesday through Saturday to see the spur collection and the historic log jail up close; admission is free and donations are welcomed. As these attractions continue to draw attention, Gatesville’s courthouse square will likely remain the heart of county events and a practical gateway for both civic business and cultural tourism.