and wound up where I started. When looking at my map it appeared I could pickup three courthouses today by riding a loop from Coldspring to Kountze, Woodville, Livingston, and back home to Coldspring. Total mileage was about 170 miles. It could have been a bit shorter, but I choose not to follow my navigation app and added an extra 10 miles to the trip.
I won’t go into details of the route I took to Kountze. I don’t think Stringtown Rd. is on the map; however, it was picturesque and worth the extra miles (and time).
First stop Hardin County Courthouse. A bit unusual so I took a couple of photos from different angles.
#9 Hardin County Courthouse, Kountze, Texas
This is from the west side of the courthouse; the only place to park the sidecar and have it in the picture.
Here’s a bit of diversion. I like motorcycles with character, and lets face it a 2003 Suzuki VL-800 lacks character. But hang a sidecar on it and instance CHARACTER. Everywhere you stop people want to talk about it. A guy passed me today driving an ol’ Buick with fenders flapping, pulled along side me so he could give it a Thumbs Up. Made me proud to be driving something with Character. Now on with the show…
This is from the street side (north side of the building), no place to park and the sun was in the wrong place to get a really good shot. I had to adjust, and this is what I got.
I read this marque a couple of times trying to determine the two very different architectures, and here’s what I came up with: The dome and columns in the front of this new(er) building are reproductions of the original old courthouse, or they actually came from the old courthouse and placed in front of the new one. Both of my conclusions are wild ass guesses. You are welcome to come up with you own theory.
I rode around town looking for the law offices referred to on the marque and didn’t find anything that resembled what is described here. So, from Kountze it is a straight shot up US 287 to Woodville, and my second courthouse for today. BTW – Mama Jack’s has an excellent Sunday buffet. Right there on 287.
#10 Tyler County Courthouse, Woodville, Texas
Not a lot to say about Tyler County’s Courthouse. They did provide me with adequate parking for my picture. It’s a cool ol’ Courthouse, very representative of the period when it was built.
Now it’s a straight shot on US 190 from Woodville to Livingston, and Polk County. There was a lot of traffic on 190 for a Sunday afternoon, and I was guilty of holding up many of the folks that wanted to run the 75 MPH speed limit. Top speed on the side hack is only about 65. I did move over where it was safe for me to do so to let’em go around. Just trying to be considerate of the other drivers.
#11 Polk County Courthouse, Livingston, Texas
When I got to Livingston, the traffic in town was not that bad and I got to park right in front of the courthouse. Nice looking courthouse that I’ve admired for the 20 years we have lived in this area.
The holidays are just around the corner and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to take some more pictures, but it will most likely be next year. So, please check back and see my progress. This is not as easy as going to Alaska and back. Bud’s Trip To Alaska check it out.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!
Texas Courthouses - A Motorcycle Photo Tour 