County Seat – San Augustine
Built – 1927
Architect – Shirley Simons of Tyler
Style – Classical Revival
Photos taken – June 29, 2015
go here for Adobe Lightroom Slideshow
go to retired San Augustine Jail
go to San Augustine Town Square
This is one of those courthouses that you don’t anticipate, and then – when you’re in front of it – hey – this is nice! Probably the biggest reason for this is the fact that is was restored and rededicated November 20, 2010. There is a great article that you can access here, which highlights some of the challenges and solutions found in restoring the courthouse. There’s another article here, which highlights local participation by the Garden Club of San Augustine in the restoration process.
What helped make this courthose standout was the starkness and contrast. Much of this has to do with the restoration, but the design is simple and striking. The Ludowicki-tiled roof with matching trim really helps the clean lines standout. And the ornamentation, while sparse – seems to be just the right touch. I like the doors – with the old-time stencilling, announcing the name and purpose of the building. Then – when you go inside – it’s all repeated – the clean lines, the color trim. Good period piece. Then it’s all carried out again in the courtroom – with the tall windows, making everything seem to clean-lined. The courtroom is quite large.