In 1901 Schleicher County formed it's government, breaking away from Menard's jurisdiction.  County officers were elected and Eldorado became the county seat of Schleicher County.

        The first courthouse built in Eldorado, Texas was a two-story frame building.  It was erected in the center of the Public Square facing Main Street to the southwest.  Prior to the construction of this courthouse, the old Silliman Building was used for county court purposes.  The date was June 15, 1902.  By 1916 the courthouse had served Schleicher County for several years and it needed repairs.  County records were dangerously exposed to storms and fires.

        March 24, 1917, an election was held at the courthouse for the purpose of voting bonds for a new building.  It was defeated.

        The courthouse burned the night after the election was defeated.  The commissioners court offered a reward of $500 for the arrest of the person or persons involved in the arson.  No one was apprehended.   Some records were destroyed in the fire, but most of the records wee in the rock vault.  The commissioners court met the second week of April, 1923 ordering an election for erection of a new courthouse. 

        The commissioners court accepted the bid of H.T. Phelps as architect for $1,743.20.  The chiseled and cut rocks used in the building were limestone rocks found in Schleicher County rock quarries.  The neo-classical revival structure contained columns and symmetrically designed elements.

        The new courthouse was built in the same place, center of Public Square facing Main Street as the old building.

        The beautiful new courthouse was soon finished and Schleicher County citizens were very proud of it.  Hundreds of festive affairs have been held on the courthouse square and around the courthouse; a part of the history of Schleicher County to be honored and preserved.