Pioneer Memorial Library (Gillespie County Courthouse)

One of Alfred Giles's most appealing designs, this two-story H-plan Italianate structure was the identical twin to the long-destroyed Llano County Courthouse of the same year. Giles won the competition for the design of the building over F. E. Ruffini, but refused to accept the prize of fifty dollars, insisting that it go to Ruffini instead. As typical of Giles's stonework, the building contrasts rock-faced and smooth-faced blocks of limestone. A heavy bracketed, galvanized-iron cornice wraps around the courthouse and ornamental iron cresting is along the roof ridge. While the exterior survives intact, the interior was altered by Moseley for its new role as the town's public library. Some of the interior walls were removed, but fortunately, the original staircases have survived, along with the main courtroom on the second floor.