Side notes of West Texas

Thought I would share a few photo's of Texas that weren't a part of the 100 Mile Capture.   So many beautiful things out there that need their photograph taken and not everything has been spaced 100 miles apart.

One of my favorites was of course The Shackleford County Courthouse in Albany, Texas.  It's stunning! Texas has some of the most amazing historic courthouses.  I plan on visiting each and everyone in time.
We stopped at this beauty on our way through West Texas.  It has a very nice Veterans tribute on the grounds. If you would like to see more detailed shots of this gorgeous courthouse you can click on the picture or follow this link  http://brickroadphoto.smugmug.com/History/Shackleford-County-Courthouse

Built 1883-84 from plans by J. E. Flanders of Dallas, architect for several other 1880s Texas courthouses. Edgar Rye of Albany was construction superintendent. Kilted Scottish Masons erected the walls of stone quarried a few miles southwest of town. The foundations rest two feet deep on "natural concrete" (caliche). Budgeted at $27,000.00; final cost was $49,433.75. Clock tower was added at public's request. 

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1962

 

 

So how cool is this?  The rock that pulled the tower clock for over 53 years.  360 lbs!  It is sitting outside one of the courthouse entrances.  The odd thing about this courthouse is there are four entrances, one on each side, however there doesn't seem to be a MAIN entrance as they all looked the same at the time of their construction.  The entrance pictured above has a newly constructed handicapped ramp and seems to be the most used entrance now. However, the side entrance has more wear on the antique door knobs.  Interesting!
To see detail shots of those gorgeous doorknobs and the very cool stone carving pieces inlaid in the stone work of the structure, visit here   Very cool detail pictures

Right across the street from the courthouse is this wonderfully restored Sinclair station.  Complete with lubrication and washing bays.  Love the gorgeous old truck.  This Sinclair Station is on the northwest side of the square at Albany, Texas and it was built in 1935 and restored by brothers Hank and Ted Paup in 2004

 Remember the days when your neighbors went on vacation and when they returned home you were invited to come over, have pie and watch their vacation slides?  I remember seeing slides of someone's Aunt Judy with her head cut off and a little blur next to her that was cousin Jimmy....you know... the one who never holds still.   If it wasn't for the brownies they served it would have been unbearable. 

 SOOO here I am 40 years later showing my vacation pictures to anyone who will look, yikes! Thanks for humoring me while I share. I hope you enjoy them and I promise NO pictures of Aunt Judy, mostly because I don't even have an Aunt Judy!   *wink*   I will try to keep them as painless as possible.  FYI  I did bake brownies today so if you want the full experience come on over!

Keep snappin'
Jeanne