We arrived a little later than I had hoped – but since we were going to see courthouses that were more ‘modern’ in style, I didn’t feel that we needed to go inside the courthouses we would visit today.  I’ve got to say – it was hot, and this was going to be the way it was all week – if not for the rest of the summer.  Anyhow, we took off looking for some modern courthouses along the Texas Gulf.

One of the courthouses is pictured above – the Wharton County Courthouse.  It was originally a Second Empire jewel, but had been subject to several ‘remodelings’ until it had lost its’ tower, its’ mansard roof and all character.  It had been stuccoed over leaving the building pictured – almost modern looking, in its’ place.

Well, we were running late – as I stated, and we arrived at the Wharton County Courthouse at 4:55 only to see this wonderful second empire styled courthouse.  We quickly rushed inside to get pictures and barely beat the clock – as they were getting ready to lock up.  What a surprise.  More later later – but here’s the renovated courthouse:

What a difference.  I hope this rendition stays around for awhile.

Before we got to Wharton, we stopped in Edna to photograph the Jackson County Courthouse, Texas.  This was a modern building – well-kept and neat lines.  But none of the character of the older courthouses.  I recall a couple of courthouses that we had earlier photograph and described them as ‘early’ motel.  Well this courthouse reminded me of a school from the same time period.  Maybe you recognize you elementary or junior high school in this picture.

Matagorda County Courthouse, Texas

The last courthouse for the day was Matagorda County in Bay City.  This courthouse is truly ‘modern’ in style and is a good representative of that time period.  But when you visit, you are taken in by the historical buildings and old-time town square feeling in Bay City that just falls flat by this edifice chosen to grace the center of the town square.  I really haven’t looked into why they lost the old courthouse – there may be some really great reason – like fire or hurricane, but the town lost a whole lot of character with this edition of its county seat of government and justice.

That concluded the day.  Again – hot, hot, hot.  You’d think we would get used to it, but I think age makes it more difficult, just my opinion.  The landscape is flat in this part of the state.  – I mean FLAT!  It is know as the coastal plains.  Lots of farming, oil & gas and farming (did I say that twice?).  Anyhow – you see little else but miles and miles of crops – sorghum, cotton, rice. corn, etc.

During the night we were hit by a fairly large thunderstorm.  Luckily it dissapated a little, and the tornados and hail didn’t reach us.  One thing we did get out of that was the fact that the trailer has a weather warning system.  It automatically turns on the radio and the warnings blast through the trailer – in this instance at 3:30 am.  Good to know, as you don’t want to be in a trailer during a truly violent storm.