County Seat – Lufkin
Built – 1955
Architect – Wilber Kent
Style – Modern
Photos taken – 3/17/04
Impressions – I did this courthouse on my own. Only time will tell if Clem decides he needs to go take his on photos. I thought for the modern style, this courthouse showed that the style can be done and provide some feeling of building ‘import’. Unlike some others that come across as being built in a motel style. The rectangular columns in front, along with a nice greeting area which includes a black granite fountain is inviting and solid. Also solid, and connecting with the historical place of the courthouse, is a statue honoring World War I soldiers.
For a photo of the demolished Angelina County Courthouse – click here. This appears to have been quite a lovely building designed by the great J. Riely Gordon. Much more stylistic and airy than his more known Romanesque style. It is truly a shame some of these great structures were destroyed by nature, fire or more likely – PROGRESS?
This is East Texas – and lumber country. In fact, the local state university, Stephen F. Austin, are known as the lumberjacks. There is a lumbering museum in the town as well. The piney woods of Texas!