Anderson County Courthouse: Palestine, Texas
Approaching the middle of Palestine driving north on Ave A, the Anderson County courthouse overshadows all the other buildings in town. It sits atop a hill filling an entire block square bounded by N.Church St, E.Lacy St, N.Perry St, and E.Crawford St.
According the Texas Historical Commission marker, the courthouse is a Beau-Arts Revival style architecture. It has similar pediment porticoe entrances on all four sides. The building is topped with a dome and with a statue of Lady Justice overlooking Palestine. If the statue could talk it would say to the citizens of Palestine,"This is where justice is administered."
The courthouse was built in 1914. It was designed by C. H. Page and Brothers, Austin, TX.
This is a working courthouse and the courts were in session during my visit. I did not go inside any courtroom and attempt to take a photograph. The interior as the most unique double spiral staircase of any courthouse in Texas.
The dome has a kaleidoscope pattern emanating from a six point star. The bottom of the spiral stair case takes you to the basement which has a map of the State of Texas with wildlife found in Anderson County.
Around the courthouse square there is a veteran's memorial, three Texas Historical Commission plaques and a memorial marking the Palestine Salt Works, a resource during the Civil War.
Across the street from the courthouse on E. Crawford St. is the historic Anderson County Jail. The county is trying to sell it with a low bid of $25,000. I don't thing there are any takers.
