When the Leon County Courthouse burned in 1885, the smoke had scarcely died away before a contract was let to erect a new one. Completed in 1887, the "new" courthouse was built of slate bricks handmade near the site. The courthouse is one of the oldest such buildings in Texas, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Four jails also listed on the Register are still standing, three on the courthouse square and the current one on Texas 7. The oldest was built in 1887 and it was designed to coincide with that of the courthouse. The next one was built in 1913, followed by the third one built in 1974 which now houses county offices. The present jail was built in 1994.