Historic Texas Courthouse to be Honored by Mural on Hotel Wall
Touring historic Texas courthouses is an excellent way to learn about old world architecture and the celebrated pasts of the counties they reside in, so to pay tribute to the Somervell County Courthouse, one local hotel is having a mural painted memorializing the courthouse.
(PRWEB) July 11, 2005 -- In an effort to memorialize the Somervell County
Courthouse, the Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites (www.dinosaurvalleyinn.com) has commissioned famed western
artist Stylle Read (www.stylleread.com) to paint a mural of the courthouse
commemorating its legacy inside of the boutique hotel. Mr. Read has an extensive
background of paintings and murals ranging from set design, exteriors, interiors
and advertising art. The mural is expected to begin later this year.
The
Somervell County Courthouse is a two-story structure featuring elements of
Romanesque Revival and General Grant architectural styles. It was constructed in
1894 and was designated a Texas Historical Landmark in 1963. Additionally it
earned a listing in the National Register of Historical places in 1979. As with
most historical structures, time takes it toll, so in 1986 the courthouse
received a complete restoration ensuring that generations to come will be able
to experience the Somervell County Courthouse in the same fashion as it was
originally conceived.
Texas has the premier collection of county
courthouses in the nation, both in terms of numbers and architectural diversity.
Currently there are more than 200 courthouses built before 1940 that are still
standing today. These historical landmarks represent both the past and the
present and are a source of pride for the communities they represent.
In
1881, Texas legislature passed a bill authorizing counties to sell bonds to
finance the construction of new courthouses. In the years between 1880 and 1900
many Texas courthouses were constructed. This time frame is commonly referred to
as the “Golden Era” of courthouse building. The courthouses were typically built
in the center of the town square to reflect its central role in the life of the
county.
Texas courthouses display some of the finest examples of 19th
century and early 20th century architecture. French Second Empire and Romanesque
Revival architectural styles were very prevalent during the Golden Era. North
Central Texas boasts 10 counties that have courthouses dating back to this era,
including the Somervell County Courthouse..
Glen Rose (www.glenrosearea.com) is
also centrally located between several other Golden Era courthouses. The Erath
County Courthouse in Stephenville, Hood County Courthouse in Granbury and the
Hill County Courthouse in Hillsboro are all just short drives away, making Glen
Rose an excellent place for stay-overs
About Glen Rose, TX
Glen Rose
is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas. It is the only
city in Somervell County, which is the second smallest county in Texas. Glen
Rose was voted America’s Dream Town 2004 and lays claim to some of the most
impressive dinosaur tracks in the country. Additionally, Glen Rose is home to
the famous passion play, The Promise, and sits on the largest natural gas
deposit in Texas, the Barnett Shale.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb259900.htm