Well, we finally took a chunk out of the remaining courthouses. We were able to take in 21 counties around Lubbock – the High Plains. That still leaves about 35 courthouses located in the other part of the Panhandle (around Amarillo) and West to Far West Texas. This trip was somewhat unusual. It reminds me of why we wanted to go to all the counties – to see all of Texas. This area was VERY agriculture-centric, with cotton being the biggest crop. There is quite a bit of oil activity in the area. And the biggest share of Texas wine grapes are grown around Lubbock. And I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t mention the wind farms. There’s a lot of wind to be found on the plains and the multitude of wind farms take advantage. The towns and cities were at times, very busy, energetic and active. In some other instances – there were shells of town – or a few where there really was no town at all (think Dickens). We were very surprised at all the things to do and see in and around Lubbock (including quite a few places in nearby Slaton). So come along and take a journey with us through the South Plains of Texas.
Two of the courthouses we visited were in the midst of serious renovation/restoration – they are Swisher and Lynn Counties. We also revisited Dawson County thinking we hadn’t been there before. Oh, well – it does have nice mosaics over the doors. The other courthouses included: Borden, Garza, Crosby, Dickens, Motely, Hale, Hockley, Castro, Parmer, Bailey, Lamb, Lubbock, Briscoe, Cochran, Gaines, Floyd, Terry and Yoakum. Overall, this group wasn’t too exciting. A lot of 1930′ built or renovated. Among the unusual was a corner judge bench in Dickens County. And a witness seat in Briscoe that was right next to the jury box – like touching close!
We photographed one retired courthouse – Yoakum. We also got some old/historic jails in Borden, Briscoe, Dickens, Hale, Hockley, Motley, Parmer, and Swisher Counties.
The towns we included for photographs include these towns that seem to have seen better days – or maybe never had them: Dickens, Gail, Matador, Silverton, Quitaque, Crosbyton and Morton. Tulia, Brownfield, Dimmitt, Plainview, Post, Crosbyton, Floydada, Levelland, Slaton and obviously Lubbock – all seem a little more robust and active. And finally – the extras. The other things we were able to work in and take in – the National Ranch Heritage Center, Buddy Holly Museum and Plaza, theaters of the Plains, the many ‘dead’ theaters we encountered, Murals of the Plains, and something I didn’t know about – the Ozark Trail Markers. And while on the road we encountered Bob’s Oil Well Gas Station (a sight to behold) and Trilogy Cellars for the wine lovers. Slaton offered its’ own treats – the Slaton Bakery, the Harvey House and the Slaton Model RR Station.