Should Confederate Monuments Remain on Courthouse Grounds?

As I’ve explored courthouses across Texas, I’ve come to appreciate their rich history, distinctive architecture, and the vital role they play in their communities. Many courthouse lawns are home to an array of monuments—war memorials, historical figures, Lady Justice statues, and, notably, Confederate memorials. This raised questions for me: How did these monuments come to be here? Who chose to erect them—and why? Do they carry historical significance, or are they relics we need to reconsider?

A bit of research led me to some revealing answers.

🏛️ Why Are They There?

• Time Period: Most were installed between 1890 and 1930, decades after the Civil War ended, and often placed in prominent locations—such as courthouse lawns, which were symbolic centers of civic power.
• Purpose: Erected primarily by local chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and similar groups to honor Confederate soldiers—but also to promote a “Lost Cause” narrative that romanticized the Confederacy and downplayed slavery’s role in the war. Many bear inscriptions like “Lest We Forget,” “Our Heroes,” or “In Honor of Confederate Veterans.”
• Symbolism: They served not just as memorials, but also as public statements during the Jim Crow era, when racial segregation and white supremacy were codified in law.

📍 Notable Examples (Remaining)

In addition to Confederate monuments, many places in Texas bear the names of Confederate leaders—including counties like Hood, Gregg, and Williamson, and cities such as Granbury.

• Ellis County (Waxahachie): Still in place, debate started.
• Hood County (Granbury): Features a prominent statue and remains in place despite recent calls for removal.
• Hill County (Hillsboro): No record of efforts to remove it.
• Harrison County (Marshall): Its continued presence has sparked ongoing community debate.
• Gregg County (Longview) – One of the largest in the region. Despite petitions and protests, local officials have declined to remove it.
• Williamson County (Georgetown): Still in place; contextual plaque proposals declined.

“In honor of the dead and living of Ellis County, who wore the gray. Banners may be furled, but heroism lives forever” — confederate monument inscription, Ellis County Courthouse

⚖️ Modern Debate

• Public Pressure: In recent years, especially after events like the George Floyd protests (2020), many Texas communities began reassessing these monuments.
• Removals: Some counties and cities have removed, relocated, or re-contextualized the monuments, while others have resisted change. Many confederate monuments have been removed in recent years, including:
  • Denton County (Denton) – Plans for a contextual museum display.
  • Tarrant County (Fort Worth) – Moved to a local museum through private donations.
  • Caldwell County (Lockhart) – Moved to the Caldwell County jail museum.
• Legal Challenges: Some removals have been contested by heritage groups, while others are protected by Texas historical landmark status, complicating efforts.
• Arguments for Preservation: Supporters argue the monuments preserve history, honor ancestors, reflect Southern heritage, and sometimes hold artistic or cultural value. They often oppose removal out of concern for erasing history or setting a precedent that could extend to other historical figures.

My Take

I don’t believe Confederate monuments belong on public courthouse grounds. That’s why, on my courthouse blog, I make a conscious effort to artfully exclude them—when possible—from my photos. Admittedly I haven’t researched why some of these monuments may carry historical landmark status, and I’m ambivalent about whether they should be preserved in settings like museums. I might see potential value in displaying them with proper context, used to educate about the Jim Crow era—a period we should not forget in modern times.