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TXDOT photographs of courthouses

8/28/2011

6 Comments

 
Fortunately for us, an unknown photographer (or photographers, we don't know) traveled the state in the late 1930's and photogaphed almost all of the courthouses.  I imagine this photographer(s) was probably the first to document the Texas courthouses as a group.  These photographs thankfully found their way to the TXDOT library in Austin.  Here they were eventually scanned and made available to persons like myself.  The collection is dated 1939 but it's diffcult to believe they were all taken in that one year.  There is speculation these photos were associated with the 1936 Texas Centennial, but that hasn't been confirmed.  On the other hand, the Sterling County courthouse of 1938 is among the photos in the collection so that one couldn't have been taken in 1936.
In addition to these so-called 1939 photos, I was given digital files of a series of scrapbooks which include photographs of some courthouses, along with TXDOT related buildings and roads.  Best of all, the photos are labeled!  These scrapbooks have yielded some additional courthouse photos.  For example, this afternoon I found a rare photo of the 1905 Sterling County courthouse, which is now included in this website.  There is very little information about this 1905 courthouse building.  The usual source, the Texas Historical Commission, doesn't offer much:  no architect or builder names for example.  This photo is the only image I've found.
6 Comments
Rick Sheridan '86
8/28/2011 10:18:29 pm

Leonard,
I am sure you have this in mind but when you visit Daingerfield in Morris County be sure to go to the old court house. It is part of a law firm now but much better looking than the modern one used now.

Best of luck,
Rick

Reply
Harry and Ellie Stewart
8/30/2011 10:28:50 am

My husband and I visited all 254 Texas Courthouses starting with Hays County in San Marcos where we live. We started on February 1, 2003, and visited our 254th one--Concho County in Paint Rock--on April 3, 2009. We have photographs of each one and a short note about our impressions. It was a wonderful experience and took us to so many interesting places!

Reply
WAYNE C. WENDEL link
2/28/2012 08:20:20 pm

Leonard, I can't believe someone else is doing this. I've been called crazy, eccentric, but they love the old buildings. I hate the contemporary courthouses but it was not my decision. I'm just glad that some county can't tear down their old courthouse now..
I started photographing Texas courthouses last year after I purchased a Nikon PC (Perspective Control) lens. I'm a retired Homicide Sgt with HPD and spent many an hour in our Harris County courthouses. There are so many interesting stories you hear traveling to these small towns. Have fun and hope to see you out there on the road,.

Reply
Richard Pannkuk
11/5/2012 10:41:33 am

Is it possible to view tyour 1939 courthouse library? I have visited 254 counties and have pictures of most all the courthouses of each county as they became replaced. Would be interesting to see the 1939 set. Thank you,

Reply
Riichard Pannkuk
1/3/2013 05:25:19 am

Is there a web sit for the 1939 coufrt house photos?

Reply
Leonard Lane
1/3/2013 06:32:26 am

Richard
No, there isn't a website for these photographs. I received permission to use them from TXDOT in Austin. The photos are found in their library. Please contact the TXDOT librarian directly. You can find their contact information online.


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    Author

    Leonard G. Lane, Jr., AIA
    leonardlane@gmail.com
    I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could.  I'm an architect.  And, a photographer on the side.
    I live in Houston, with my wife, Donna.  After our daughter, Hilary, passed the Texas Bar exam she took the oath as an attorney in the historic Harris County courthouse on Friday, November 15, 2013.

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