After a full day of driving and photographing, I spent Friday night in Marshall. The desk clerk at the Hampton Inn (plug) recommended drinks and dinner at the OS2 on the courthouse square (plug). It was a good suggestion. Drinks (once I "joined" the club) and dinner at the OS2 bar were excellent. Here's a photograph:
Restaurant on the left, bar on the right. The outdoor tables have a front row view of the historic courthouse.
I spent a couple of hours in Marshall on Saturday morning. First up was a visit to the Texas & Pacific Railway depot and museum. Marshall was once home to the T&P's main shops and a large yard. The T&P even operated a private hospital in Marshall for its employees! Not so much anymore, but the depot has been restored and serves a pair of Amtrak trains every day. Here's the station:
Next, I photographed the "new" Harrison County courthouse, circa 1964. It's not going to win any awards, but at least it keeps its distance from the main attraction, the historic courthouse. Take a look:
Speaking of the historic courthouse, here's another view of this magnificent building:
By the way, in Harrison County, justice has wings.
Leaving Marshall, I drove west on US 80, the old east-west highway now replaced by I-20. In half an hour I was in Longview, seat of Gregg County. The Gregg County courthouse dates from the 1932, with a looming, and I mean really looming, addition on the west side. Architects can be so thoughtless. On the other hand, the courthouse square is beautifully landscaped. There were two groups of photographers/models on the property while I was there. Apparently, the courthouse grounds are THE place to have your picture taken in Longview.
The later addition is on the left. You can see a small portion of this over-scaled building in this photograph.
South of Gregg County is Rusk County. The county seat is Henderson. Just southwest of Rusk County is Cherokee County. Its county seat is Rusk. Very confusing! Anyway, Rusk County has a run of the mill early 20th century courthouse, located not on the town square, but a block north of the very large and busy square. Here it is:
That's a statue of Mr. Rusk in front of the courthouse.
Leaving Rusk County, I drove south and west to Rusk, seat of Cherokee County. The 1941 Cherokee County courthouse is a typical WPA design in the center of the town square. Thankfully, no additions have been attempted!
Warning: more railroads ahead.
Rusk is the western terminal of the Texas State Railroad. This historic shortline provides tourists with a nice trip through the woods between Rusk and Palestine (Texas). I rode it in the early 1980's and my only lasting memory is how dreadfully hot it was that summer day. Here's a roadside view of the line's "to be restored" yard on US 84.
Rusk is the western terminal of the Texas State Railroad. This historic shortline provides tourists with a nice trip through the woods between Rusk and Palestine (Texas). I rode it in the early 1980's and my only lasting memory is how dreadfully hot it was that summer day. Here's a roadside view of the line's "to be restored" yard on US 84.
I pulled off onto the grassy shoulder to take this photo. Hidden in the grass was a substantial rock, on top of which my car was soon lodged. Thank goodness for all wheel drive! After much noise and mental/metal stress, the car was off the rock with no apparent damage. The skid plates worked. But, I got the shot!
West of Rusk is Palestine, seat of Anderson County, the first county in Texas, alphabetically speaking. The Anderson County courthouse is located on top of a hill, in the center of a square, but not in the center of town. The town center is a good half a mile away. Regardless, the courthouse, from 1914, is a lovely neo-classical building that gives the downtown folks something to look at:.
Before turning towards Houston and home, I stopped across the street from the courthouse to have my car "express" washed and detailed. Unfortunately, I grew tired of waiting for my turn and so returned home with a dirty car!
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