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Hill County Courthouse
The Hill County courthouse in Hillsboro, Texas, sits in the middle of town in its own block surrounded by other buildings in the "courthouse square." The 1890 elaborate Second Empire style courthouse was designed by architect, Wesley Clark Dodson. It is built of limestone and contains a metal clock tower.
The courthouse was pretty much destroyed by fire in 1993. Residents and local businesses wanted to save the courthouse from the wrecking ball. A rebuilding-restoration project began and it would involve then Governor George W. Bush. The governor got the State of Texas behind the project by signing the Texas Historical Commission's legislation establishing the Texas Historical Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP).
The Hill County courthouse was rebuilt and restored in 1999. It became the first of 70 completely restored courthouses in the State of Texas since 1999. These courthouses are state and national treasures in which the local citizens take immense pride. The program is funded by the Texas legislature every other year.
In 2011, I began a project of photographing all the county courthouses of Texas. That's 254. It took four years and approximately 42,000 miles. The photographs of the exterior and interior of all the courthouses were given to the Texas Historical Commission so that they would have photographic record of all the courthouses.
I remember this courthouse like it was yesterday. As I would photographing the interior, I was approached by a gentleman who asked me what I was doing. I introduced myself and he said that he was the local district judge, would I like a personal tour of the courthouse. An hour later and after a cup of coffee with him we parted ways. During my courthouse project I met many people in and around courthouses. They all take pride in their own little piece of Texas.
https://birdshooter.smugmug.com/TexasCourthouses
20130930HillCountyCourthouseRAW7517hillsborotexashill county courthousetexas historic courthouse preservation programthccpState of Texasgeorge w. bushtexas historical commissionSecond Empirewesley clark dodson
Janet McQueen
1 hour agoLovely light , nicely composed!
TruImages
2 hours agoBeautiful light to enhance the beautiful building!
Lgood
7 hours agoOne of my favorite courthouses in Texas. I'm so glad that it was saved. I said to my husband that we should also photograph the courthouses of Texas. And, I've done many; however, it was on a vacation and not a planned trip. What I haven't done (except in the Ellis County courthouse) is to get interior shots. You've given me a goal. :-) Well done, and wonderful light here.
Judith Sparhawk
9 hours agoWonderful building, well restored after the fire, and beautiful light in this image.
KDP450
9 hours agoLovely lighting and nice composition.
Donna McCommon
11 hours agoExcellent shot of this beautiful courthouse.
Terry Allen
12 hours agoWhat a splendid old building and so nice that it is not being encroached on by other tall buildings so it can be fully appreciated!
My daily photo is here: https://www.allenfotowild.com/DailyPhoto/Daily-Photo-2014/i-Z5LQBmr/A
fotoeffects
13 hours agoBeautiful light and pp...outstanding image!
Franks-Focus
13 hours agoYou had some awesome light for this shot.
Rick Willis
13 hours agoNice Shot. If you ever have to appear in front of a judge it better be this one 😃 ...