New Marker unveiled at Courthouse

Saturday morning Cass County Judge Travis Ransom presided over an unveiling ceremony of a new Texas Historical Marker at the Courthouse. On hand to offer remarks were Linden Mayor Lynn Reynolds and former Linden Mayor Marvin Kelly, who is also the Chairman of the Cass County Historical Commission.

Commission members and guests were on hand as Chairman Kelly and Member Sue Lazara pulled off the black cloth to unveil the new marker, which has updated information.

“It’s an interesting story. The Texas historical marker was destroyed accidentally during the courthouse reconstruction in 2011. Additionally, the old marker didn’t include the whole history accurately. The new marker narrative is well researched and documented,” said Judge Ransom. The marker reads: “This is Texas’ oldest courthouse in active service, dating from before the Civil War. Plans were adopted in September 1859, with contracts finalized in December. Enslaved workmen under J.T. Veal dug clay, hand-formed and burned more than 400,000 bricks on the nearby branch. The older frame courthouse was removed from the square, and in early 1863 master builder L.W. Lissenbee began work on the massive interior chimneys and 31-1/2-inch-thick foundation walls. Final work was ordered paid on July 1, 1861. Meanwhile, Texas had seceded, and the courthouse gained national significance as the distribution point for war provisions to county volunteers. Citizens were called to bring in personal firearms, and a special county war tax paid for gun repair and reissue to volunteers who lacked better weaponry. In 1905, a 20-foot east wing was added. After a 1908 tornado, an octagonal cupola sat atop the roof until 1917, when skilled architect Stewart Moore gave the building classical porticoes. A rhythmic frieze of triglyphs and metopes, dual steel staircase wings, tile roof, and calcimine façade. In 1933, fire gutted the upstairs courtroom as citizens mobilized to save county records. Using 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) funds, repairs by Moore’s colleague, Fred Halsey, included a third-floor expansion under a robust roof truss, from which the courtroom ceiling and coving are suspended. The 2012 full restoration respects the designs of 1917-18 and 1934, honors the building’s heritage, and continues its long tradition as centerpiece of the community. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORY LANDMARK – 1967. MARKER IS PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.”