Navasota Examiner | 2019 Grimes County Courthouse 125th Birthday

125 Years

of History & Service A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

CONGRATULATIONS ON

125 YEARS!!!

9965 Hwy 6 Loop • Navasota, TX 77868

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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— Letter from the Judge —

appy Birthday, Dear Courthouse. You are 125 years old and still standing tall every day.” That is something most of us, if any of us will never hear.

On Saturday, June 15, 2019, starting at 9:00 A.M. at the courthouse in Anderson, Texas, Grimes County will celebrate the 125th birthday of this beautiful and deserving structure.

There is a lot of history surrounding our long-standing structure. For the record, our first courthouse was made of cedar logs and burned to the ground in 1838. Our second structure blew down in 1850. Fire again destroyed our 3rd courthouse in May of 1890 and the 4th on January 20,1893. The current structure has been here since 1894. (P.S. No smoking allowed).

Come take a tour of this great beauty and hear about Bonnie and Clyde. Ask the question as to why we have 3 different brick colors built in her walls. Where are the bullet holes from the 1901 shootout? Is the courthouse really haunted? You’ll never know if you don’t come take a tour.

Celebrating the Grimes County Courthouse’s 125th Birthday!

Congratulations!

JOE FAUTH III GRIMES COUNTY JUDGE

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You will notice some wear and tear on our courthouse today. Hurricane Harvey was not very kind to this historical structure. Our renovation plans will start soon after our birthday party is over. Contactor bids are in and contents are being reviewed.

As beautiful and historical as our courthouse is today, she is being made ready for the next 125 years of service for the citizens of Grimes County, Texas. In preparation for her 150 the birthday party….

We will load our “25 Year Time Capsule”. If you have a business card that you would like buried for the next 25 years, bring it on Saturday with your $5 donation (money going to a children’s charity). Who knows, you might still be here when it is dug up in 2044.

Come take a look, come have some fun, visit old friends and make some new ones this day. This will be a day of celebration rain or shine from 9:00 A.M till 1:00 P.M. You will be my personal guest.

Joe Fauth Grimes County Judge

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE The following are excerpts from the “Grimes County Courthouse Rededication” program that was published in March 2002.

— History of the Courthouse —

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

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he Texas Historical Commission, first established in 1953 as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee by the Texas State Legislature, is recognized nationally for its preservation programs. It is composed of 18 citizen members appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The staff, which consists of about 100 people, consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas’ architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks. In 1973 the Legislature changed its name to the Texas Historical Commission and expanded its protective powers, leadership role and educational responsibilities.

Happy 125th

Birthday!

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THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COURTHOUSE PRESERVATION PROGRAM

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f the 225 historical courthouses in Texas, 201 of these are still being used for county administration purposes. The Texas Historical Commission has identified 150 of these courthouses were built prior to 1920. Texas, with more historic courthouses than any other state, boasts the distinction of being the only state that requires counties to secure clearance from a state preservation agency before making any changes to their SEE HISTORY PAGE 5

Congratulations on 125 years to the Grimes County Courthouse!

Monday - Friday: 7 AM to 5 PM

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

History

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historic courthouse. A total of 86 Texas historic courthouses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 78 are Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and 62 are State Archeological Landmarks. The 1894 Grimes County Courthouse has the distinct honor of being listed in all three designations.

In 1836 when Texas won its independence from Mexico, the new Republic of Texas formed counties for a localized governmental system. The Texas county courthouse, one of the first permanent structures built in the new counties, became a symbol of local strength, pride, progress and democracy.

In 1881, the Texas Legislature ushered in the “Golden Age of Courthouse Construction” after it authorized counties to issue bond funds to finance new structures. These seats of county government in Texas represent some of the finest works of 19th and early 20th century public architecture in the state and the nation. The 1894 Grimes County Courthouse is proud to take its unique place among such distinguished works.

would become Grimes County. Shortly thereafter, Francis Holland and his family came to the region from Louisiana and bought land from Andrew Millican, around what later came to be known as Holland Creek.

Joining the Hollands and Millican around 1824 were D. Tyler and Daniel Arnold, two of Stephen F. Austin’s original “Old Three Hundred.” Later, Ira M. Camp purchased the entire Tyler grant, some of it reportedly swapped for a single-barrel shotA SHORT HISTORY gun, with the remainder sold for OF GRIMES COUNTY as little as ten cents per acre.

In 1833, Henry Fanthorp, a & ANDERSON, TEXAS twice widowed Englishman, purchased the east quarter of rior to 1822, aside from Na- Francis Holland’s league, about tive Americans, few peo- 1107 acres, at twenty-five cents ple inhabited the area that per acre. He married Rachel

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Kennard and built a house. Soon the couple enlarged their home into an inn and tavern, known as the Fanthorp Inn. The settlement grew into a bustling town, where several stagecoach lines crossed. Sam Houston, prior to the Civil War, was a guest at the Fanthorp Inn, as was the future U.S. President Zachary Taylor. Even Amelia M. Murray, one of Queen Victoria’s Ladies-in-Waiting, graced the halls of the Fanthorp Inn. In 1835, the Provincial Government established a weekly mail route from San Felipe to Nacogdoches with a post office, the first in Grimes County, at Fanthorp Inn. One of the most disturbing news stories received there concerned SEE HISTORY PAGE 6

CELEBRATING

125 YEARS Debra M. White-Finke Debra M. White-Finke Financial Services in association with

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and looking forward to many more!

BARBARA HENLEY WALKER

GRIMES COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 3

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

History

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the fate of Tapley Holland, one of Francis Holland’s sons. Tapley died defending Texan Independence at the Alamo, where he was the first to cross Colonial Travis’ “line in the sand.” Later, about 1839, Fanthorp purchased a tract of land fronting the north lines of his quarterleague, and named it Alta Mira, meaning “High View.”

In the days of the Republic of Texas, that part of Texas now known as Grimes County was in the western part of Montgomery County. On April 6, 1846, the Texas Legislature accepted the petition of the settlers in that locale to create a new county. They named the new county Grimes,

in honor of Jesse Grimes, then serving as the Senator for Montgomery County. In 1846, Henry Fanthorp offered to donate the land for the Courthouse with the stipulation that he be allowed to choose the site of the county seat. After much controversy, his offer was accepted. The new town was named Anderson in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson, the last Vice-President of the Republic of Texas, who died at the Fanthorp Inn. As Grimes County was being organized, the little town of Alta Mira was absorbed into the new town of Anderson, which became one of the most important crossroads of the Republic of Texas. Because it is built on seven hills, Anderson has often been referred to as the “Rome of

Texas.” At its height, Anderson boasted two steam sawmills, six gins, four churches, a public school and a population of three thousand residents.

1894 GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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ith its unique Edwardian-Victorian eclectic style (sometimes described as “ltalianate” the current Courthouse, built in 1894, is the fifth structure to serve as Grimes County’s Courthouse. It is the third Courthouse to occupy the site that Henry Fanthorp donated in 1850. In this historical building the County Clerk’s vaults contain the original Mex-

ican land grant recordings for the area dating back to 1824.

The first Grimes County Courthouse was constructed from cedar logs. Fire destroyed this structure in 1838 and in 1850 a ferocious wind destroyed the second Courthouse. W. W. Arrington designed the third Courthouse and built it from stone in February, 1859. Fireproof doors were installed in the vaults of this Courthouse in 1878. These doors survived two fires, the one of May 15, 1890, which destroyed this third structure, and the fire of January 20, 1893, which destroyed the fourth courthouse. With the exception of these two vault doors, in February of 1891, the SEE HISTORY PAGE 9

Wishing the Grimes County Courthouse many more birthdays!!

HAPPY 125 BIRTHDAY!!!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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Celebrating 125 years!

Happy Birthday!

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Congratulations to the Grimes County Courthouse on celebrating 125 years!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

History

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Commissioners’ Court rejected the notion of using the remains of this third Courthouse as a foundation for the fourth. Lamour and Watson designed the fourth Courthouse, completing the new building in December, 1891, at a cost of $28,990. On January 20, 1893. this Courthouse was consumed by fire!

Only the county clerk’s vaults, the east wall, and the foundation remained. Incorporating the 1891 Courthouse vaults with the 1878 doors, the east wall, and the foundation, F. S. Glover & Company of Houston designed the present, three-story Courthouse. The charred remains of the fourth Courthouse were

thrown into the basement. The new 1894 Courthouse literally arose from the ashes of its immediate predecessor. The present structure is built of hand molded red brick with rusticated native stone trim.

The Courthouse bricks have three distinct colors: (1) the original hand molded red brick of the surviving 1891 east wall vaults; (2) the 1894 pinkish red brick, on the south, west and part of the north walls; and, (3) a rustic brown colored brick on a section of the north wall.

The story about this “mysterious” third color of brick is interesting. The bricklayer, growing increasingly impatient for the wagonload of bricks to come, went around town, found a few bricks, and laid them! When

the wagon finally arrived, he went back to laying the original bricks. Due to the very limited amount of funds allocated for this project, detailing on the north, south, and west walls was modified. In an attempt to match the white native stone window detailing on the surviving east wall, bricks painted white were used for the arches over the new

SEE HISTORY PAGE 11

PHILLIP COX

Grimes County Commissioner Pct. 4

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windows. A central wooden cupola surmounted the steeply pitched roof, covered with brilliantly pressed metal Victorian shingles. According to Commissioners’ Court Minutes of March 15, 1910, the exterior wood frame staircase making the second floor courtroom accessible from

Congratulations on 125 years!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

U The historic Grimes County Courthouse located at 100 South Main Street in Anderson, Texas.

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Here is to the next 125 years!

Happy Birthday!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

History

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the inside as well as from the outside was added. The addition of this exterior staircase was the determining factor that the Texas Historical Commission used in setting 1910 as the restoration appearance date.

The courthouse “square” is in reality a “circle.” Welsh in design, it appeared in Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” as the only Courthouse built on a rise in the middle of a street. Imposingly situated in the middle of Main Street atop one of the seven hills in the township, the Courthouse is a focal point for miles around.

An 18- inch retaining wall was placed around the Courthouse when the rut that the horses and

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wagons made threatened the foundation. This wall was later increased to its present height of three feet.

A total of 86 Texas historic Courthouses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 78 are Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and 62 are State Archeological Landmarks.

The 1894 Grimes County Courthouse holds all three historical designations: a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1965); State Archeological Landmark {1992); and, National Register of Historic Places-Anderson Historic District (1974).

The esteem the County has for its past elected officials is evidenced in the unique collection SEE HISTORY PAGE 12

Happy birthday to the Grimes County Courthouse!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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of their photographs located in the first floor corridor. This photographic display, dating back to the mid-1800s, is one of the great attractions of the Courthouse. On April 9, 1979, a Commissioners’ Court Resolution called for the preservation of these photographs.

After the Civil War, Carpetbaggers came to Grimes County and formed a powerful political machine known as the Populist-Republican coalition. On the night before an election, this political machine would send wagons and railroad cars to round up the rural population and bring them into town for an all night party of food and drink. On election day

they would line up the “happy voters” in two lines at the polling places with armed guards on either side-making certain they would vote as they had been instructed the night before.

During the election of 1898, the election returns disappeared from the county clerk’s office; it is said that they were burned. The Populist-Republicans claimed victory. The Democrat Party contested. As a result of this incident, in the Spring of 1899, five men, namely Judge J. G. McDonald and John Wickey of Anderson; Will Edwards of Prairie Plains; Sam Isbell of Bedias; and Jim Ogg of Plantersville, met in the office of County Judge McDonald to discuss ways to “break the back” of the Populist-Republican co-

alition. At this meeting a decision was made to form a group to fight the coalition, which became known a few years later as the White Man’s Union Association. Successfully mobilizing a large group of citizens, (including some African-Americans as the story goes), this once small band gathered in the second floor Courtroom. Barricading themselves across the street in the county jail along with their “elected” sheriff was the Populist-Republican coalition. A gun fight resulted in five bullet holes in the Courthouse structure, four on the west side located near the second floor windows and one on the right side of the south entrance doors. They are still visible today.

At least one person, Mr. Brad-

ley of Anderson, was killed during this fight; several were wounded. The men barricaded in the jail called on the Governor for help, and an armored vehicle was sent. They were spirited away-never again to return to the county. The “machine” was routed. The story is told that one of them fled across the fields near Anderson and found a woman’s clothes hanging on a line, put them on, and tried to escape disguised as a woman.

He didn’t make it. Years later a suit was filed in Federal Court by some of the ousted officials naming each merchant in the various towns as defendants.

The “defendants” quietly paid their fine of $25.00 each.

SEE HISTORY PAGE 14

Happy 125th Birthday to the Grimes County Courthouse!

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Congratulations to the Grimes County Courthouse on its ABOVE: The courthouse as it appeared in 1939.

BELOW: The historical marker on the courthouse erroneously lists the date of construction of the current courthouse as 1891.

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Happy 125th Birthday to the Grimes County Courthouse!

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History

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In 1933, a Grimes County Grand Jury indicted Clyde Barrow for robbing P.B. Parten of Navasota of $2,900. The indictment was dropped when Clyde and “Bonnie” suffered a violent death in an infamous Louisiana gun battle. In 1934, after a change of venue, Joe Palmer, a member of the Clyde Barrow Gang, also known as “Bonnie and Clyde,” was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death for killing Major Crowson of the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas.

As he was taken handcuffed out of the Courtroom, he swore he would see the Court in the “infernal regions.”

For as far back as anyone can remember, it has been a tradition in Grimes County for its citizens to gather around the Courthouse on election night to “party” and await election returns. The County Clerk hangs two large tally boards outside his annex building across the street from the Courthouse. Each time a Precinct judge drives up with a voter box, the crowd awaits in anticipation while the County Clerk tallies the results, walks across the street, and posts them. Every time the Clerk posts the updated figures, alternating loud cheers and moans of disappointment radiate from the crowd. There is always plenty of food and drink set up on tables around the Courthouse with each opposing candidate’s supporters trying to “out do” the other in quantity and quality of food.

On September 24, 1994, the Grimes County Historical Commission sponsored the Grimes County Courthouse Centennial Celebration on the south steps of the Courthouse. Former County Judge Larry Snook served as emcee. Linda Roark, a member of the Texas Historical Commission, who had been instrumental in helping Grimes County obtain several preservation grants for the Courthouse, was the keynote speaker. The celebration began with a march-in by a re-enactment group, The Texas Army, dressed in Republic of Texas regalia. The Fanthorp Inn State Parks Concord stagecoach carried U.S. Representative Charles Wilson, D-Lufkin, State Senator Jim Turner, D-Crockett, and State Representative Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands to the footsteps of the Courthouse.

Professor David Woodcock of Texas A & M’s Department of Architecture was recognized as playing a key role in the preservation of the Courthouse. Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss, the photographers who did the wonderful photographic essay of Grimes County and its people located in the second floor corridor, were among the attendees.

The 100-year-old Courthouse was opened for tours with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas serving as docents.

Every year in April, during Grimes County Government Week, the Courthouse comes alive with hundreds of students from the four-county school district. The objective is to SEE HISTORY PAGE 16

125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson, Texas.

W I T H 1 0 B R A N D S A N D 4 L O C AT I O N S

Celebrating 125 years of history in Grimes County!

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

History

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teach the students firsthand the structure and function of county government. Several students are chosen to participate in role playing as county judge and commissioners in a mock Commissioners’ Court meeting with lively discussions coming from the audience. A mock trial is held with a judge, attorneys, and defendant.

Other educational methods are introduced including films, tours of the county offices, introduction to the various county officials and the services their office performs. It is the hope of the elected officials that these young citizens will become motivated to participate more fully as adults in the local governing process.

was in the building, I was determined to visit with her. After telling her a little about our historic courthouse, I asked Goldie, ‘Do you have a part in your movie for a grayheaded old man?’ She replied, ‘Well, judge, can you act?’ That’s when I told her, ‘I’ve been married three times, and I’m a politician. If that ain’t acting I don’t know what is!’” She hired him on the spot. Many local citizens were chosen for minor speaking parts and used as extras. County, a publication of the Texas Association of Counties, featured an article on this The district courtroom, showing the restored pressed tin ceiling. event entitled, “A Star is Born in Hollywood came to the Court- “Bud” Haynie to play the part of Grimes County.” There was also house in June, 1997, in the form the bailiff in his own courtroom. an article in the March, 1999, lnof Goldie Hawn! Ms. Hawn, di- The judge’s account of just how site magazine entitled, “Brazos recting her first film, “Hope”, this came about is amusing. Valley: Behind the Camera-In cast the County Judge Ira E. “When I heard that Goldie Hawn Front of the Camera.”

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imes County Cou r G , h t 25We look forward to 125 more…rthou 1 y se app

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S! YEAR Happy Birthday To Our Grimes County Courthouse!

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GRIMES COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 2

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125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Population will be almost twice what it is today.

New subdivisions will be built in Navasota and all across the county. We will experience more visitors as our attractions will increase and established attractions will improve.

The city will have a bridge over the railroad tracks on the south side of town and a boulevard east of Hwy 6 between Hwy 90 and 105 will be a corridor with retail and residential development.

Brad Stafford City Manager, City of Navasota

Electric cars will dominate the roadways, and driverless technology will be the preferred method of driving.

I predict we will have two new high schools, a new junior high and two new elementary schools in Grimes County. I also expect that there will be very little open space between Navasota and South Col-

In 25 years...

lege Station. Probably no personal jet-pack transportation yet. Maybe for the 200th anniversary?

Johnny McNally Executive Director, Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce In 25 years, I will be 62 years old and maybe still working at The Examiner.

My son will be 35 and flourishing in his career and hopefully taking care of his mommy. Grimes County will be bigger than ever and still one of the best please to be.

Ana Cosino Publisher, Navasota Examiner In twenty-five years Navasota will experience tremendous growth and our historic gem will be known and loved by many. Hopefully, I will be retired by then and fishing.

Shawn Myatt Chief of Police, Navasota Police Department

CONGRATULATIONS ON 125 YEARS IN GRIMES COUNTY!

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Recollections of the Past and Future Grimes County in the Old West with the Future in Mind.

As I sit in the Grimes County Courthouse for the last few days of my employment, I recall being hired by the County Clerk to work as Deputy for Elections and data entry Voter Registration.

The computer we used were some that were first invented to do data entry. Grimes County had approximately 6,000 registered voters. Today, in 2019 we have over 15,000 voters and counting. When we have people from the bigger counties come into register to vote I hear statements like ‘Grimes County is compared to a “resort county”’. I remember coming to Grimes County in the late 60’s seeing beautiful county side of rolling hills sprinkled with the native oaks and walnut trees. Depending on the season our state flower, the Bluebonnet or later in the season Blue Bells were in bloom, and of course the many dairy and beef cattle. Grimes County did not lack for its horse population either.

This of course draws the many people that “want to get out of the city” with the explosion of Houston, Dallas and Austin. I foresee Grimes County being transposed into what Katy, Sugarland and Fort Bend has become which is just a continuation of these cities. Hopefully the people to come after me, with the growth of the population, will preserve and protect the valuable Texas History of what Texas was and is still to be. Remember the people that worked SEE LOOKING AHEAD PAGE 19

Happ y 125 th

Birt h

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Looking Ahead continued from 18

to have everyone enjoy our Texas heritage.

Grimes County in the Old West with the Future in mind.

Rebecca Duff Grimes County Election Administrator/Voter Registrar In 25 years, it will be the year 2044 and the courthouse will be 150 years old.

A lot has happened in the last 125 years so it is hard to predict what the future holds but I hope that our beautiful courthouse will still be standing and still be used for county business.

If anything, it should stand as a landmark of the way things used to be, so we do not forget our history. With all the new technology we have today, I can see us having “virtual” courtrooms with remote locations throughout the county.

With the way our county is growing I can see us having more satellite offices throughout the county to make it more convenient for our constituents. As for the courthouse itself,

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it has stood through the years and was built strong enough to survive almost anything. Its strong foundation is a testament to the men who built it all those many years ago.

Vanessa Burzynski Grimes County Clerk Where will our courthouse be in 25 years? Still standing strong, as one of the most recognized buildings in our county.

Our courthouse serves as a beacon for freedom, justice and the will of a small county to do business the right way. In 25 years, Anderson will have grown in both population, and business – with the Courthouse still standing in the center of it all. Our hope, within 25 years, is that the town of Anderson is fully restored with the downtown and the Courthouse being recognized as both a beauty and a pillar of our community!

Lucy Ybarra Deputy Elections Administrator Hopefully, Navasota will have a Whataburger!

Bert Miller Mayor, City of Navasota

HAPPY

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Grimes County Commissioner Pct. 4 Phillip Cox, Grimes County Commissioner Pct. 3 Barbara Walker, Grimes County Judge Joe Fauth, Grimes County Commissioner Pct. 2 David Dobyanski. Not pictured: Grimes County Commissioner Pct. 1 Chad Mallett.

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Examiner photo by Matthew Ybarra

BIRTHDAY

to the Grimes County Courthouse!

9475 FM 1227 • Navasota • 936-825-7070 www.nov.com

20

H

125TH ANNIVERSARY GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Local People...

Local Decisions...

HAPPY TH 125 BIRTHDAY TO THE

GRIMES COUNTY COURTHOUSE!!!

9109 Hwy 90 S. – Navasota (936)825-3662

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