I have heard that on New Years Day you are supposed to do something that you would like to do throughout the year. So, I went motorcycle riding. Rode up to Crockett, county seat for Houston County. I rode around the courthouse square a number of times over the years as I traveled through Crockett or went there to eat at the Moosehead Cafe, which is right there on the square across from the courthouse. In fact, I believe Marvin captured his picture of the Houston County Courthouse while I was in the cafe having coffee and pie.

Crockett is about 65 miles from my home and I felt the appropriate bike for the picture was my 1974 Honda CB750 K. It is quite photogenic, and rather proud of its 1^st Place win at the Wolf Creek Custom Car and Bike Show this past October. Compared to one of my newer bikes it is not as comfortable to ride, but it is very dependable and runs great for a 45 year old machine. A side effect of riding the bike is the attention it brings when I stop somewhere. People gather around and say things like, “My first bike was one like this, or my neighbor had one just like this when I was growing up,”

So, on to Crockett. It’s a straight shot up Hwy 19 through Trinity. Same way back. Being New Years Day all the businesses around the square were closed, even the Moosehead, so no pie today. Had the whole front of the courthouse to park. The Honda looked kind of lost in front of this huge building with nothing else around. Also, the Honda does not have a place to safely attach my camera case, so the pictures were shot with my cell phone. Here’s what I got.

#13 Houston County Courthouse, Crockett, Texas

This picture is cropped to show the Honda a little better. Can you tell I’m very proud of this ol’ gal?

The Courthouse History.

An early observation seems to be that many of the counties have had multiple courthouses, and many were lost to fires and poor construction.  I had to look up the word “razed.”  This is a word I was not familiar with the meaning.

By the time I got home the sun had set and I was cold, but other than the elements I had a great ride and a great start to 2019.  Hope you did, too.

Later, Bud…

It’s Friday, the sky is bright blue and clear. There’s a brisk wind out of the north which makes the 60 degree temp feel cold.  I called my nephew, Rob and he is going to meet me for a ride to Groveton, Texas and the Trinity County Courthouse. My thinking is: it’s Friday afternoon and the last working day of the year for a small east Texas town, there should be minimal traffic around the courthouse, and a great opportunity to park my bike in front for pictures.

Got my Honda Africa Twin out of the garage, checked and aired up the tires, and we’re ready to go.

Met Rob in Point Blank and we rode to FM-356 in Onalaska. Took 356 to Sebastapol and FM-355 which leads to downtown Groveton. 356 provides great views of Lake Livingston and 355 is just a great 2-lane blacktop for 14 miles. During this 14 miles we encountered about three areas with signs that stated “Loose Gravel”.  I hate loose gravel, especially at 70 MPH. I guess the signs were old and the gravel had time to pack down, but it ain’t worth the chance, I always slow down and approach with caution. On the way back – will that’s a different story.

Before heading to Groveton, I did a little research about the courthouse. Appears Trinity County has two; one is a showplace and the other is a functioning court. Even has the office for the District Judge.

Here’s pictures of both:

#12 Trinity County Courthouse, Groveton, Texas

This is a classic Texas Courthouse.  Isn’t it a grand looking building?

… the history.

… and the other courthouse.

Also, a classic Texas Courthouse.

This weekend is suppose to be in the 40s, so I think I’ll leave the bikes in the garage. Maybe work on the 1978 Honda SS, and get it ready for a photo shot.

See ya next year, Bud…

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 !!!

 

Saturday morning and the sun is shinning, not a cloud in the sky and a great day to go for a ride and take pictures of courthouses. Since the temps are only expected to get in the low 60s today I though I would take a couple of pictures a little closer to home. Coldspring is only six miles away and Conroe is 40.

So I suited up for the cold, pulled the sidecar rig out of the garage and it wouldn’t start. The battery is just not strong enough to make it catch. Hooked up the battery charger and while it’s charging, checked the tires and did the rest of the pre-flight. Thirty minutes later and I’m on my way.

Pulled up in front of the San Jacinto County Courthouse and not another vehicle to obstruct the view.

# 7 San Jacinto County Courthouse, Coldspring, Texas

Here’s a little information about Coldspring, I bet you didn’t know.

Conroe is about 40 miles away and the back roads are perfect for the slower speeds I drive the sidecar. Took Hwy 150 west to Evergreen, FM-946 to Dabney Bottom Road which turns into County Line Road in Montgomery County. Worked my way through the back streets of Conroe to the courthouse.

#8 Montgomery County Courthouse, Conroe, Texas

Wow, what a different view from the one in Coldspring. Cars are parked in every space in front of the courthouse, except the one right in the middle. They must have left it just for me and the hack. You can’t really see the courthouse, it is behind all the trees. So be it. Some courthouses are like people; they are not very photogenic.  And to make matters worse, the afternoon sun is in just the wrong place.  Most of the time I can maneuver where I’m standing when I take the picture to reduce or eliminate the sunspots.

Here’s another angle.

The marque doesn’t say anything about the courthouse, but I guess it implies it was one of the buildings built with brick and stone.

Tomorrow I plan to head out east and take a few more.

Later, Bud…

 

Today I started my tour of Texas Courthouses.  Since I was in Temple and only a few miles from the Bell County Courthouse,  I made it my starting point for my 1st photo.

I had previewed this particular courthouse last week, but didn’t have one of my motorcycles so I deferred the photo session till today. Riding the big black H-D Ultra Classic I got a mid-morning start with beautiful weather; temperatures in the mid-60s, clear skies, but winds 15 to 20 MPH.  The wind would not have been a factor, but I was planning to make my 2nd shot in Lampasas about 45 miles away.  The wind beat me even on the big bike.  Sometimes you just got to take the good with the bad.

Got to the courthouse and to my surprise – the courthouse and downtown Belton were not ready for me to take pictures.  It was Christmas on the square or trades day or something all around the courthouse.  Traffic was extremely heavy for the town on a Saturday morning, and only the front of the courthouse was not covered with vendor tents.   So, I parked the bike in the “No Parking Zone” right in front, grabbed my camera, ran cross the street in front of the police station, focused and shot in between moving cars.   Got my picture and got out of Belton.

In my haste and confused moment I cut the clock and top off the courthouse.  I might have to do a retake if I get too many complaints about my photography skills.

# 1 Bell County Courthouse, Belton, Texas

Now on to Lampasas.  I’ll just start with the surprise.  After 45 miles in the 20 MPH crosswind, I arrive to see the Lampasas County Courthouse surrounded by Hot Rods and Classic Cars.  I like them almost as much as I do motorcycles, but to share my Kodak moment with them was not something I had planned on.  So, again I must take the good with the bad; not all that bad.

Here’s the result.

# 2 Lampasas County Courthouse, Lampasas, Texas

Pretty cool, even if I do say so myself.

…and a little history.

Hope you enjoyed today’s ride.  Tomorrow we’ll do some more.

Later, Bud…

This morning is a great day for a motorcycle ride (who am I kidding? Everyday is a great day for a motorcycle ride).  I’m heading back to the lake today and plan to take a round about route instead of my usual more direct one.  Going from Temple to Marlin, to Franklin, Madisonville, Huntsville, and home.  Most of my route is country back roads and will add about 2 more hours to my trip that is usually less than 3.  Being Sunday, I’m hoping for fewer distractions than yesterday.

First stop Marlin, county seat for Falls County.

# 3 Falls County Courthouse, Marlin, Texas

Something I’m finding as I get into this project is, with some of the older courthouses it is hard to see the beauty of the architecture and construction because it is blocked by these huge oak trees.  Makes for a lovely and comfortable entrance (shade from the Texas sun in July), but leaves you with a photo of trees instead of a courthouse.  At least the Motorcycle is not blocked.

I put the camera away and suited up for my ride to Franklin.  Took Hwy 6 to Bremond.  One of my all time favorite “watering-holes” is located here, but being Sunday morning, it was closed.  Onward south on Hwy 46 to Franklin.

# 4 Robertson County Courthouse, Franklin, Texas

Robertson County is ready for Christmas, but someone missed the message about President George H.W. Bush and did not lower the flags.  I’ll bet that is fixed by tomorrow morning.  This is the kind of shot I was expecting of all the courthouses; unobstructed, just the courthouse and the motorcycle, beautiful Texas blue sky in the background.

Now on down Hwy 46 to OSR to Normangee, then FM 978 to Madisonville.  Both Hwy 46 and FM 978 are great roads for riding – rolling hills, plenty of curves and minimal traffic.

# 5 Madison County Courthouse, Madisonville, Texas

Very nice.  Not very impressive when compared to some of the older courthouses, but that’s what you get when your courthouse burned down in 1966.  Madison County built a new one (the one in the picture) in 1968 which was finished in 1969.  There is no historical maker stating any of this, but a friend that graduated from Madisonville High School in 1966 knew all the history.  Interesting the things you can learn over a cold beverage.

Moving on to Huntsville and the Walker County Courthouse.  30 minutes down I-45, boring.

# 6 Walker County Courthouse, Huntsville, Texas

This is actually the back of the courthouse that faces Texas Hwy 75.  The front looks exactly the same, but there was construction on that side and the Christmas tree was on this side.  Just makes for a better picture – I think.

Interesting history.

Hope the weather is accommodating for some more pictures this weekend.  It’s supposed to be cold but clear.  Might bundle up and visit Coldspring and Conroe.