Earle Hitchener once said that the difference between the British and Americans is that the British believe that 100 miles is a long distance and Americans believe that 100 years is a long time. Some Americans, when considering racism in America, think primarily of the legally condoned racism of slavery and Jim Crow. To them, … Continue reading 210. Jasper, Jasper County →

Another quaint little town with a central responsibility. The grounds here were well decorated, littered with the historical detritus of passing days... ...along with another one of these... ...which, to be honest, I'm not sure if they're new on my journey or just new to me. The cache itself wasn't all that impressive, a micro … Continue reading 209. Newton, Newton County →

Hardly the megalopolis the name might lead you to expect. A lush green lawn, a still cool though damp morning, a justice center across the street... Another courthouse in another small town close to the Texas Coast. Unfortunately, there was a disquiet in the back of my mind. I've been avoiding Southeast Texas for a … Continue reading 208. Orange, Orange County →

Welcome to Beaumont, home of...stuff? I hit another biggish city and I didn't take note of much of the special stuff in town. And in this case, it's my fault. Beaumont is large enough to have things of interest and I didn't do any legwork or research to find something really special to see or … Continue reading 207. Beaumont, Jefferson County →

I didn't think I was going to find much of anything especially interesting out here in the middle of Southeast Texas from a courthouse perspective (other than the background of Miami Vice, that is). Hardin County proved me wrong. The majority of the building (the bit on the left) is pretty, well, boring and old … Continue reading 206. Kountze, Hardin County →

The early morning shadows were still long when I arrived here. The morning cool was humid, bolstered by proximity to the Gulf. Still, the sun began to slice through it, warm beams reminding you what the afternoon would be like when it came to its height, agitating the moisture in the air. There was something … Continue reading 205. Anahuac, Chambers County →

This has got to be the most Miami Vice looking building I have ever seen in my life. I can totally see Crockett and Tubbs walking out, discussing their next lead after being reamed out by the LT (if I had Edward James Olmos yelling at me, I'd be suitably cowed. No lie). But, of … Continue reading 204. Galveston, Galveston County →

The sun was starting to get low as I rolled into town. I knew this would be the last courthouse of the day since I only had a half day to get stuff done today. A nice example of the WPA in action, I thought. I am a little curious, though. Why did this place … Continue reading 203. Liberty, Liberty County →

I approve of this courthouse. Stately and majestic with just a hint of utilitarianism. Finished in 1924, it occupies that middle ground between traditional courthouses and the WPA. That said, this place didn't really enthuse me. Perhaps there's something here that I might find interesting if I knew about it, but the downside of being … Continue reading 202. Livingston, Polk County →

Seeing a cross so prominently displayed on the structure of the building sets off my separation of church and state alarm, but I don't live here so I'll silently judge from over here. Of course, the grounds have some things so that's to their credit. However, there is something more important to tend to. I … Continue reading 201. Coldspring, San Jacinto County →