This is our courthouse. It is located on the square in downtown. It was originally built in 1904. When it opened on December 30, 1904 it's final cost was $58,000. The dome houses a clock on all four sides and although it was originally hand wound, they converted to electricity in the 1960's. It's been refurbished twice. Once in 1974, the fabulous year I was born and again in 1990 when I was in high school.
I've only had business in the courthouse three times in my life. The first was when I made my debut in front of a judge at age 3 months, to complete the legalities of my adoption. Don't worry, my parent's made all of the arrangements since I couldn't walk or talk, much less set up legal appointments. The second, when I testified against a man who I'd become involved with at age sixteen. He was a bad man who did bad things and I got my restraining order and he went to jail. The third time I darkened the doors was for a ruling on my divorce. Now that I think about it, my parents were with me every single time I had official business there.
This photo was taken a few years ago, before the most recent renovations.
See those huge trees?
Well, they took them down.
Chunk by chunk, piece by piece, they were removed.
I drove by one day and couldn't believe my eyes.
Those trees have been there my whole life!
Fortunately, for my tree hugging self, the newspaper printed an explanation that described it as a necessity. The city brought in tree guys to check the trees for diseases and problems and such.
Obviously, as evidenced by the rotten and diseased centers of the branches, they made the right choice. Come to think of it, every time we had a big storm, huge chunks of tree debris would fall onto the sidewalk. I guess it was time for a big change.
Now, they've replaced the huge trees with smaller trees. In time, they will grow as large as the others. They've also begun to replace the copper on the dome. And I read the clocks were removed for repair also. I can't wait to show you the finished project!
I hope they finish it up soon.
Patience, is not one of my virtues.
5 comments:
Wow. That's a lot of personal history for you in that one building. One very good thing, one horrible thing and one thing that I'm sure was difficult.
It'll be interesting to watch the trees grow.
I love that you have roots someplace like that. I'm with you on the patience thing.
What a cool series of photos. It is a mini documentary. Keep us posted.
Oh how you made me laugh with your comments about my hubby. He has that affect on a lot of people. ;) He is a dashing princess.
It makes me feel tender about your parents that they were with you every time.
You know, our neighbor just pointed out that our enourmous pine out front has problems. I'm really worried that we're going to have to pay a lot of money to cut it down, and it is so grand, but I think some bugs are giving it a disease or something. sigh.
Too bad about the diseased trees. Until you said you had SEEN the branches falling I thought it might be some kind of propaganda story to keep the township from rioting.
I do love building make overs. Especially when they respect the original design.
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