Comal County courthouse rededication, Jan. 22, 2013

Aaron "friended" the Texas Historical Commission on Facebook (and then I did too), which led to the THC inviting us to the Rededication Ceremony for the Comal County Courthouse in New Braunfels!  It was so exciting and such an honor to be there! 

Ceremony at the courthouse.

Inside the District Courtroom.  Pink was the original color - it used to be a masculine color, due to its origins from red, which is the color of blood.  The border around the room is a French oatmeal paper replica, chosen for the way it allowed the gold leaf to enhance the 3-D effect.  Notice how the wreaths are centered on the corners and the flat surfaces.  

Floor tiles at the base of the iron stairs.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a new campaign: I <3 Texas Courthouses, which runs for the month of February.  They had a booth at the courthouse, promoting Texas courthouses and raising awareness to the public.  The balloons were part of their booth.

The newly restored side of the Comal County Courthouse.  When we first documented it, two of the sides had been added on to with an awful addition.  Now she's back to her original glory! 

A cool gift!!

Larry Goodman saw our interview on KXAN and contacted Jim Swift, who forwarded his email to Aaron.  Tonight, Larry gave us this poster of the courthouses - all 254 of them!  Thanks Larry!

link to Austin American Statesman article

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional/couples-texas-courthouse-odyssey-leads-to-a-courth/nTff5/

Austin American Statesman article!

La Grange newspaper article!

KXAN footage - check it out!

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/couple-nears-courthouse-tour-goal

FINAL courthouse trip!! Rio Grande Valley.

Jourdanton CH, 1912.

Architect: Henry T. Phelps

Lovely inside and out! There is a neat old jail (1915) too.  We had lunch at McBee Bar-B-Q afterwards - yum!  

Replica of the old Jourdanton CH.

Tilden CH, 1930.

Architect: W. C. Stephenson

The addition was put on in 1965, the jail dates to 1880, when Tilden was called Dogtown.  Locals still call it that.

Hebbronville CH, 1913.

Architect: Henry T. Phelps

There is an interesting old hotel / hospital falling apart across the street and the old jail is nearby too.

Zapata CH, 2005.

Architects: Morgan Spear Assoc.

For a newer courthouse, this one is nice.  The old one was demolished.

We camped at Falcon State Park, which was nice.  Saw the DEA blimp in the sky the following morning.  

Rio Grande City CH, 1939.

Architect: Stanley Bliss

The jail inside looks like it's still in use. Rio Grande City is a cute little town that feels like very Old Mexico.  There is a cool old hotel with a grotto (La Borde House). 

Edinburg CH, 1954.  

Architect: unknown

Monthly Market Days in front.  The old jail is now part of a museum.  Edinburg tore down a beautiful old Phelps courthouse (similar to Jourdanton) for this one.

Old Hidalgo County CH, Hidalgo, 1886.  

Brownsville CH, 1978.

Architect: SHWC Inc.

Ugh!!!  There are 2 older ones in town: the 1912 one looks like it's being renovated and the old 1912 jail is nearby too.  The oldest one, dated 1882, is now the Rio Grande Masonic Lodge No. 81.  

Lunched at Emy's Restaurant on our way to Port Isabel, which served really different Mexican food from what we're both used to. 

Old Brownsville CH, 1912.

Older Brownsville CH, 1882.

Raymondville CH, 1922.

Architect: Henry T. Phelps

Sarita CH, 1922.

Architect: Henry T. Phelps

This courthouse is pretty and in good shape.  Sarita is a cute little town.

Falfurrias CH, 1914.

Architect: Alfred Giles

Butter!  Not anymore.  But it used to be home to the Falfurrias Butter Factory.

Kingsville CH, 1914.

Architect: Atlee B. Ayres

The new wing was added on in 1966. 

Alice CH, 1914.

Architect: Atlee B. Ayres

The 2 additions were put on in 1948 and 1949.

Lunched at El Capitale, which was pretty good! 

San Diego CH, 1916.

Architects: Sanguinet, Staats & Gottlieb

This courthouse desperately needs restoration.

That is 253 courthouses; there are 254 total.  We are saving the last one, the one here in Austin, Travis County, for last.  We will be visiting that one on Saturday, December 1 and then going to Texas' oldest restaurant, Scholz Garten, for a huge party celebrating the completion of this project!  The party will be from 3 - 6, if you're reading this, then you're invited!  : ) Anne and Aaron