At the time of its opening the Texas district courts number 11, 55, and 61 moved into the courthouse.[4]
In 1930 the cupola was removed. There were previously stairs made of granite that connected the second floor with the ground, but they were removed in 1950.[2] The courthouse received a modernization in 1953 which updated the interior. In 2011 the courthouse was rededicated after an extensive renovation, which began in March 2009,[2] and restored the interior to the original style. The renovation had a cost of about $65 million,[4] and included adding a cupola that was created in the 1980s as well as re-adding the granite steps. The reopening was in August 2011.[2]