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RAZED
IN TEXAS
THE LOVE SONG OF J. RIELY GORDON
A series of photo essays of courthouses designed by J.R.G.
BRAZORIA
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
c. 1894
Brazoria, Texas
Architect: J. Riely Gordon
Razed
by John Troesser
Photos by Julie McConnell
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The
Brazoria Courthouse at Brazoria c. 1894
Old Post Card Courtesy Julie McConnell |
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The date of the courthouse - A.D. 1894
Photo courtesy Julie McConnell, 2002 |
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All
that remains of the 1894 courthouse
Photo courtesy Julie McConnell, 2002 |
The
town of Brazoria dates back to 1828 - the year it was platted. It
served briefly as the first Capital of the Republic of Texas - since
it was the only town with (barely) sufficient accommodations for the
legislators.
The county was organized in 1836 and a wooden building was the first
courthouse. The artifacts on this page are from the J. Riely Gordon
courthouse of 1894. The postcard above shows similarities to Gordon's
Ellis,
Wise
and Fayette
County courthouses.
Angleton
was Brazoria's rival for the county seat and Angleton
had the advantage of having a railroad. The citizens of Brazoria hired
J. Riely Gordon to build a courthouse - which cost a reported $90,000.
The idea that was - with such a fine, attention-getting courthouse
- Brazoria would retain it's status as county seat.
But, in 1896 Angleton
was voted in as county seat and the huge courthouse at Brazoria wasn't
needed. |
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The
1897 Brazoria County courthouse in its original condition
This picture is hanging at the entrance to the old courthouse, now
serving as the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, September
2005 |
Photographer's Note:
Hard to believe that a structure of this historical and architectural
magnitude was reduced to this, merely because of political infighting.
I hope that you and your readers (one of which I have definitely become.)
find this info useful.
If I can ever help you with anything else, please let me know. There
are many topics of interest in Southern Brazoria County that are not
only interesting but had a great impact on the history of Texas. .....
Thanks for providing an extremely thoughtful and insightful website.-
Julie McConnell, April 22, 2002 |
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