Oh, Oregon! It was easy to see the courthouse on the way into town. It’s really hard to miss with that tower. It has an extension built onto it that’s not especially photo-worthy. It doesn’t even attempt to blend in or conform to the original aesthetic in any way, shape, or form. This, therefore, will … Continue reading 745. St. Helens, Columbia County (OR01) →

Good show! Another respectably hefty small-town courthouse. It feels like it occupies an odd niche because it reminds me of so many other places, but it’s not exactly a cookie-cutter “Sears” courthouse. I guess nice courthouses are all the same and crappy ones are crappy in their own way (if you don’t mind me butchering … Continue reading 744. Kelso, Cowlitz County (WA17) →

The courthouse was acceptable, though not as nice as the last several had been. Though I don’t consider myself a brand evangelist concerning anything electronic, I have to say that the camera on my iDevice is amazing! I couldn’t see the name on the front of the courthouse with my naked eye, yet it shows … Continue reading 743. Cathlamet, Wahkiakum County (WA16) →

I would never be considered an authoritarian, but I love it when a courthouse sits in dominance over the town, radiating its authority. I have no doubt that photographers better than I could somehow express that on film. When I drove into town, this gorgeous, whitewashed beast awaited me. As in Montesano, I wish I … Continue reading 742. South Bend, Pacific County (WA15) →

I seemed to be beginning a good run of luck with courthouses now! Once I had gotten beyond the tragedy of Olympia, I got some great edifices in the middle of these smaller towns. I know that’s hardly new, but it is much enjoyed. Here, I wish I could have gotten a higher vantage point … Continue reading 741. Montesano, Grays Harbor County (WA14) →

Now that’s quite a chonker! I almost missed it. I let Mr. Google’s maps lead me to the “courthouse,” and they brought me to an obviously modern county court building. For a moment, I panicked at having arrived at the wrong place. Then I looked over my shoulder, and there it was! If it had … Continue reading 740. Chehalis, Lewis County (WA13) →

Now, this is a stunning courthouse!  I heard it said that if you look up the word “courthouse” in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of this one.  I’m not sure if that’s true because I don’t think they put pictures of courthouses in dictionaries. But it’s quite possible, and I’m willing to believe it is true.  … Continue reading 739. Shelton, Mason County (WA12) →

No. Just plain no. I didn’t think there was an actual traditional courthouse here, or if there was, I couldn’t find it. Turns out there used to be one, but I didn't get over to see it. This is the County Commissioners and Administration Office. It makes sense that this is where the county is … Continue reading 738. Olympia, Thurston County (WA11) →

I’ve got to be honest with you here.  I have nothing nice to say about this building.  I have no doubt that it is completely suitable to the needs of the county, but aesthetically it is less than meh.  For a minute, I was concerned that maybe I had the wrong building, but the county … Continue reading 737. Tacoma, Pierce County (WA10) →

Quite a structure, no?  This is what a courthouse should look like!  In fact, I’ve got to admit it’s a little scary and imposing in the dark.  I don’t know if it’s the brick or the grandness of it, but it makes one feel uneasy.  It’s the kind of place that an eccentric millionaire would … Continue reading 736. Port Townsend, Jefferson County (WA09) →