Yesterday's post garnered several comments about a clock/bell tower being removed from a courthouse. The Tyler County Courthouse in Texas in Woodville was built in 1891, one of the older of the still-standing courthouses. It underwent a drastic (to say the least) remodel in the 1930s as part of the WPA after the Great Depression. The red brick was covered with stucco and the bell tower of the original Italianate architectural style was removed to "modernize" the building. Below is a photograph of a painting from texasescapes.com taken by Terry Jeanson, a Texas courthouse enthusiast, which presently hangs in the office of the county judge. The painting is by a local artist, Doretta Gilchrist.
Yes, we all gasp, for now we realize and recognize the beauty of the historic buildings.
Some of you commented in the previous post about the "people who restored the courthouse," and most all historic courthouse restorations in the state are undertaken by the Texas State Historical Association. To date, the state has invested $227 million with an additional contribution from the individual counties of $150 million for courthouse restoration. As of this time 63 courthouses have been fully restored to their original conditions as much as possible. The Commission is very strict about keeping restoration details authentic but yet incorporating current building codes for proper heating and cooling, plumbing, and structural and safety elements. Terri commented about the cost of heating and cooling these old buildings but the restored ones all have modern day heating and cooling systems.
The Tyler County courthouse (located here in East Texas about 90 miles from where I live) is on the endangered courthouse list. Water infiltration, failing masonry and structural issues, outdated mechanical and plumbing systems, mold and poor air quality, deteriorating doors and windows, fire hazards, and vacancies are the urgent problems faced by many of Texas' unrestored courthouses. Tyler County received an emergency grant of over $147,000 after a 1999 fire to upgrade the wiring. It is currently eligible for further restoration and it is estimated another four plus million dollars will be necessary. The population of the entire county is only about 21,000. Counties must participate in the projects and are asked to contribute 15 to 20 percent of the costs.
I read somewhere while doing this research that restoration of the Tyler County Courthouse will definitely include the replacement of the bell tower. You will notice in the top photograph the red diamond shape appearing under the words
"Tyler County Courthouse." A closeup of that area would reveal the red brick under the stucco. Thank goodness they didn't remove that beautiful brick!
County seat: Woodville; population 2,500
Location: 100 miles north of Houston, 230 miles southeast of Dallas, 630 miles east of Wink.
11 comments:
this one looks like it will take millions to put it back like it was. not sure if it is worth the money. they sure ruined it when the modernized it.
Gasp is right! What a difference. Hopefully this community will be able do what is need to restore this one to it's original beauty.
You must be putting on some milage tracking down these courthouses.
yeah, that one's gonna take some work!
What damage we humans do when trying to update and modernize our buildings! An appreciation history should be a requirement before any landmarks are touched to maintain architectural so-called progress!
What a shame. This one may be lost forever.
Beautiful building, which I have had the pleasure of seeing in another picture before. Thank you for bringing this beautiful building to all of us.
Have a Beautiful Day!
Peace :)
That one needs some TLC.
A few years ago I visited City Hall in Phila. They had modernized that too (inside) covering all the beautiful woodwork and high ceilings. The carpenter who did the work knew it was a mistake so he installed all the new walls in a way they could be removed without damage to the old. The old is now restored. Crazy.
Sounds like a huge undertaking and very expensive but worth doing. I like the idea of preserving our cultural heritages.
They definitely ruined it! Wow. But, I am glad a restoration is in the works.
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