After it ceased to house the county courthouse in 1890, the building was used as a school, a bank, a professional office building, an opera house, and a hospital (from 1937 to 1961). When the building, which was for sale for a number of years, was sold in 1986 to an owner who planned to dismantle it & move it stone by stone to his ranch, Blanco & area citizens were outraged. Through their efforts, the plan was stopped, & the building & others in town became part of the Historical District ordinance. The venerable old courthouse was restored & rededicated in May 1998 by then Governor George W. Bush. It now serves as a visitor center, gift shop & community center.