I stopped in Giddings to check on repairs to the courthouse on my way home following my July 12 - 17 road trip. Repairs are ongoing. Below is some information on the current work to stabilize and repair this historic courthouse, with photos I took on Friday, July 17, 2015.
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"Throughout its history, the [Lee County] Courthouse has experienced numerous and ongoing problems related to differential foundation movement and associated distress cracking. In 1911, partial underpinning of the south and west foundations was implemented. Further repairs were completed in 1979 and from 2001 to 2004.
"In 2008, cracks were noted in the plastered walls and load-bearing masonry. A geotechnical investigation confirmed that the majority of the distress was likely caused by the interaction of the underlying expansive clay soils that support the foundation. When the perimeter of the Courthouse was inundated with surface water due to poor drainage, the soil at the foundation edge heaved, whereas the central core remained stable. Stress cracking at the arched and perpendicular connecting masonry walls was a result of the movement and subsurface soil conditions.
"To stabilize the perimeter foundation, a continuously reinforced, concrete, shallow spread footing was installed below the existing foundation. The existing storm-water drainage around the perimeter of the Courthouse was revised to provide a slope of 2% away from the building. A perimeter trench was installed to capture surface water runoff and connect the roof downspouts. A French drain system was installed at the bottom of the existing footing; continuous around the perimeter of the Courthouse; and included new drain lines, filter fabric, gravel fill, and cleanouts. Furthermore, the subgrade waterproofing barrier was removed and replaced at the masonry walls below grade."
ICRI Award of Merit: Historic Category Submitted by Wisss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
There's even a YouTube video about the foundation repairs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS49_gjmZpo
"In 2008, cracks were noted in the plastered walls and load-bearing masonry. A geotechnical investigation confirmed that the majority of the distress was likely caused by the interaction of the underlying expansive clay soils that support the foundation. When the perimeter of the Courthouse was inundated with surface water due to poor drainage, the soil at the foundation edge heaved, whereas the central core remained stable. Stress cracking at the arched and perpendicular connecting masonry walls was a result of the movement and subsurface soil conditions.
"To stabilize the perimeter foundation, a continuously reinforced, concrete, shallow spread footing was installed below the existing foundation. The existing storm-water drainage around the perimeter of the Courthouse was revised to provide a slope of 2% away from the building. A perimeter trench was installed to capture surface water runoff and connect the roof downspouts. A French drain system was installed at the bottom of the existing footing; continuous around the perimeter of the Courthouse; and included new drain lines, filter fabric, gravel fill, and cleanouts. Furthermore, the subgrade waterproofing barrier was removed and replaced at the masonry walls below grade."
ICRI Award of Merit: Historic Category Submitted by Wisss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
There's even a YouTube video about the foundation repairs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS49_gjmZpo
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"The building was rededicated on October 8, 2004. In 2014, the county was awarded a $450,000 Round VIII emergency grant for above-grade repairs to masonry, doors, windows, and interior finishes affected by structural movement, which was addressed by foundation stabilization work using a Round VI $804,233 emergency grant awarded in 2010." Texas Historic Commission
"Lee County will make critical architectural and structural repairs to the Lee County Courthouse and seek to restore it to its 1898 splendor thanks to a $50,000 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Giddings. The grant through the LCRA Community Development Partnership Program will help weatherproof the courthouse while helping to preserve the historic building. A number of repairs will be made to address the building’s air and water infiltration issues. Exterior repairs made possible by the grant will include reinforcing cracked brick masonry and re-anchoring the stone arches and lintels. Distorted wood windows and doors also will be repaired, and the gutters and membrane roof system will be replaced." Lower Colorado River Authority
"Lee County will make critical architectural and structural repairs to the Lee County Courthouse and seek to restore it to its 1898 splendor thanks to a $50,000 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Giddings. The grant through the LCRA Community Development Partnership Program will help weatherproof the courthouse while helping to preserve the historic building. A number of repairs will be made to address the building’s air and water infiltration issues. Exterior repairs made possible by the grant will include reinforcing cracked brick masonry and re-anchoring the stone arches and lintels. Distorted wood windows and doors also will be repaired, and the gutters and membrane roof system will be replaced." Lower Colorado River Authority
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