The Palo Pinto County Courthouse has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Several people went to great effort to win this recognition for the stately old courthouse. Former County Judge Harold COUCH, who had first-and daily experience at the courthouse, got the application forms and booklet of requirements about three years ago. When he retired the bulk of the effort went into the hands of Pauline G. MITCHELL, who did all the requirement of the history, all the necessary documentation, the research, put the history together and made all the picture and slide requirements.

Palo Pinto Historical Commission Chairman Rob SMITH has overseen the project, putting his signature on the final document before being submitted to the National Historical Commission.

Historical renovation is taking place in the courthouse. Workers have replastered the walls in the county judge¹s courtroom and will be stripping and revarnishing the parquet floors. Next they will redo the wooden benches. After that the judge¹s bench will be reworked, with the area next to it modified to hold computer and monitor without showing cords and wires. Brass ceiling fans will be installed, as well as new heat exchangers. All work has been carefully planned to be compatible with the original decor so that the room looses none of its historical value.