Bee County, Beeville
Bee County Courthouse.
1858 - First courthouse of vernacular, wood picket in Maryville (Beeville)
1860 - frame, rented, burned in 1888
1879 - Greek Revival, frame, square plan, 2-story, burned January 15, 1911
Interesting note, designed by W.C. Stephenson, Lady Justice on top is not depicted as blind. Stephenson referred to her as “Enlightened Justice.”
In a Corpus Christi Caller-Times article by Travis Moorman published in about 1953, he [Stephenson] was asked to reminisce on the work. He had this to say:
“..(She) represents an enlightened Justice - a representation of what Justice should be.”
The article further says: “Now the blindfold on the usual justice is a fine theoretical way of representing impartiality in meting out justice. But, from a practical standpoint, Stephenson thinks the lady should have both eyes open to see who might be trying to tip her scales one way or the other. The Bee County figure of Justice carries no scales. In the right hand is the torch of knowledge and in her left, a staff with the ‘scroll of records’ attached to it...”
The entire article is posted on the W.C. Stephenson webpage.
WWII plane.
Cool Main Street building.
More cool Main Street buildings.
Leaving town we came across this abandoned building/bar and store.
The Courthouse and Me
