In my last blog entry I explained that I don't photograph courthouses during this time of year.
Having said that, I have now broken that rule several times.
My excuse is the weather. It's just been lovely in south and central Texas during the last 10 days.
More like spring than winter. The sun is still low in the sky, but temperatures in the 70's and even the low 80's have convinced me it's time to photograph me some courthouses!
Therefore, while attending the annual state accessibility conference in Round Rock, I took the opportunity to re-visit 4 county seats, beginning with Bastrop on Wednesday, January 23, and then Burnet, Georgetown and La Grange on Friday, January 25.
I arrived in Bastrop late in the afternoon, but there was more than enough light to capture the north facing facade of the historic courthouse. The trees along Pine Street (they're not pines, by the way) were leafless, allowing me to photograph the front of the courthouse.
Having said that, I have now broken that rule several times.
My excuse is the weather. It's just been lovely in south and central Texas during the last 10 days.
More like spring than winter. The sun is still low in the sky, but temperatures in the 70's and even the low 80's have convinced me it's time to photograph me some courthouses!
Therefore, while attending the annual state accessibility conference in Round Rock, I took the opportunity to re-visit 4 county seats, beginning with Bastrop on Wednesday, January 23, and then Burnet, Georgetown and La Grange on Friday, January 25.
I arrived in Bastrop late in the afternoon, but there was more than enough light to capture the north facing facade of the historic courthouse. The trees along Pine Street (they're not pines, by the way) were leafless, allowing me to photograph the front of the courthouse.
Bastrop County courthouse, 1883 (significantly altered in 1924)
Friday morning, I awoke in Round Rock and decided the weather was just too perfect to spend the morning in a windowless conference room, so I "skipped" the morning session and drove to Burnet, seat of Burnet County. I'd attempted to photograph this courthouse in June 2011 but the low building and numerous trees defeated my efforts.
The winter sun and spring sky, coupled with bare trees made for a very productive photo session this time. The modern building is still rather low, flat and featureless, but at least it's visible in these photographs.
The winter sun and spring sky, coupled with bare trees made for a very productive photo session this time. The modern building is still rather low, flat and featureless, but at least it's visible in these photographs.
Burnet County courthouse, 1937
I told you we're having an early spring -- the bluebonnets are already out!
Leaving Burnet, I decided there was enough time before the afternoon session for a quick visit to Georgetown, seat of Williamson County. Thirty minutes later I was in Georgetown. The courthouse and surrounding square were in good light, enabling me to capture additional views of this very traditional courthouse and square.
Leaving Burnet, I decided there was enough time before the afternoon session for a quick visit to Georgetown, seat of Williamson County. Thirty minutes later I was in Georgetown. The courthouse and surrounding square were in good light, enabling me to capture additional views of this very traditional courthouse and square.
Williamson County courthouse, 1911
A quick south on I-35 and I was back in Round Rock in time for lunch and the afternoon session of the accessibility conference.
On my way back to Houston that afternoon I decided to stop by the Fayette County courthouse in La Grange. Again, the afternoon light was wonderful and I spent a very productive 30 minutes in and around the courthouse square. The James Riely Gordon designed courthouse is an architectural treasure and always worth the visit, especially since the building was fully restored in 2003-2005.
On my way back to Houston that afternoon I decided to stop by the Fayette County courthouse in La Grange. Again, the afternoon light was wonderful and I spent a very productive 30 minutes in and around the courthouse square. The James Riely Gordon designed courthouse is an architectural treasure and always worth the visit, especially since the building was fully restored in 2003-2005.
Fayette County courthouse, 1891
Speaking of restored courthouses, the week of January 21-25, 2013 saw the re-dedication of two historic Texas courthouses: Comal County in New Braunfels and La Salle County in Cotulla. Both projects were made possible by the county citizens and the Texas Historical Commission's preservation program. I'll be re-visiting both courthouses this spring (each one for the third time) and updating their pages on this website.
In the meantime, in addition to updating existing county courthouse pages, I'm making progress in creating pages for the courthouses I've already visited. As of today, I've completed 153 county courthouse pages. I will complete the Palo Pinto County page this weekend, leaving just 20 counties to finish in order to catch up before I go out on the courthouse trail again this spring.
In the meantime, in addition to updating existing county courthouse pages, I'm making progress in creating pages for the courthouses I've already visited. As of today, I've completed 153 county courthouse pages. I will complete the Palo Pinto County page this weekend, leaving just 20 counties to finish in order to catch up before I go out on the courthouse trail again this spring.
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