Big Thicket tour day two

I left Jasper about 9 AM Sunday and drove north on US 96 to Bronson.  This area of southeast Texas is beautiful:  rolling hills and dense forests.   At this hour the temperature was in the 80's, not bad compared to the previous afternoon in Jasper and Newton.  Turning right at Bronson I drove east a few miles to the Sabine County seat, Hemphill.  It was a quiet Sunday morning and I had the town square to myself. 

Sabine County courthouse, Hemphill, Texas. 1906

The courthouse dates from 1906 but the building has had its share of alterations over the years.  According the Texas Historical Commission a 1909 fire damaged the top two floors and the roof.  Reconstruction in 1910 added a hipped roof in lieu of the original flat one.  Apparently there was a dome that was removed in 1938.   The little courthouse is battle-worn but still standing.  

Highway 21, between Milam and San Augustine, Texas. Sunday, August 21, 2011.

San Augustine County courthouse, San Augustine, Texas. 1927

Leaving Hemphill I drove north and then west through more hills and forests, arriving at San Augustine about 11 AM.  The San Augustine courthouse has been fully restored and is a beauty.  The architect was Shirley Simmons.  The simple lines and tasteful details are just right.    Fortunately, there haven't been any additions or alterations to the courthouse to date.. 

Tyler County courthouse, Woodville, Texas. 1891

Leaving San Augustine, I drove south, crossing Lake Sam Rayburn, or what's left of it.  I stopped for lunch in Zavalla and was treated to a Texas style buffet consisting of way over cooked vegetables and chicken "fingers."  Moving on, I took  US 69 into Woodville, seat of Tyler County.  The poor Tyler County courthouse has been modified and butchered over the years beyond recognition.  The original 1891 design by architects Glover & Hodges was in the ever popular Second Empire style, with a Mansard roof and large ornate tower.  Alas, in the 1930's the Mansard roofs were removed, the brick skin stuccoed over, and the tower modified.  The current condition begs for a full restoration.

Hardin County courthouse, Kountze, Texas. 1959 & 2008

A few minutes south of Woodville is the county seat of Hardin County, Kountze.  I had seen photos of the current 1959 courthouse so I was prepared for the real thing.  Believe me, photographs don't do it justice.  It's far worse than I had expected.  For starters, it's not in a square or related to the town of Kountze in any traditional way.  Rather, the long, low building is sited along Highway 326 on the outskirts of town.  Over the years a new addition, housing the county jail, has been added at one end and then, in 2008, a replica of the dome of the previous 1904 courthouse was "planted" near the courthouse entrance.  In my opinion there's nothing quite so sad as a dome without its supporting building.  This is just dumb!  On the other hand, it does distract one from the 1959 building looming behind. 
Thus ended my 6 courthouse "Big Thicket" tour.  Granted, it ended on a low note, but there's always the next courthouse to look forward to...