Briscoe

Formed August 21, 1876 (175^th county)

Briscoe County (1,434), Silverton (626)

The pillars on the front of the Classical Revival courthouse provide a look of uniqueness.  Built in 1922 from the tan brick designs of Smith & Townes, it is located on Texas State Highways 86 and 256 at Main.  One 1892 courthouse in Silverton preceded the current one.  The county was created from Bexar County on August 21, 1876 as the 175^th county.  Texas patriot and San Jacinto veteran, Andrew Briscoe, is the namesake for the county.  Two versions exist to the history of Silverton’s name.  A local land developer, Mrs. T. J. Braidfoot simply named the community to give its promise.  The other version says Mrs. Braidfoot saw a silvery sheen on a local lake to inspire her to the name Silverton. 

Briscoe County government consists of a sheriff, a County Judge, and 4 Commissioners.  One District Court Judge serves Briscoe, Dickens, Floyd, and Motley counties and One County Court Judge serves Briscoe County.  The county is in the panhandle south and east of Amarillo, Texas.  The county center is 11.6 miles Northeast of Silverton.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Donley, Hall, Motley, Floyd, Swisher, and Armstrong counties. 

The area of the county is 900 square miles.  It is 149 out of 254 in the state.  It ranks 239 out of 254 in population in the state.  It has a density of 1.6 persons per square mile making it 230 out of 254 in the state.  Briscoe County has 67.6% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is nearly square and Silverton is in the southern half and slightly west of center.  Silverton is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 43.7% of the county population.