Photo of the second Courthouse that stood in Palestine, Anderson County. It served the county from approximately 1860 until 1885.

In 1885, Palestine, like most of the country, was in the midst of a depression, complicated by a series of railroad strikes, so there was little new construction. However, Anderson County had to have a new courthouse because the old one was literally falling down. And they were determined to have the finest and most up-to-date building that could be constructed. The Architect that was hired was William C. Dodson of Waco and building commenced in June of 1885 after demolition was completed on the old building. It was completed in May 1886 at a cost of $40,000 and was indeed impressive looking with it's tall three story dome and clocktower. The life of the building was cut short when a couple of incendiaries set fire to it on the night of January 6, 1913, in order to destroy evidence against one of them. The plan failed because the actual court records were housed in fireproof rooms, which were not damaged.

Group of unidentified men, thought to be jurists, outside the Third Anderson County Courthouse.

Photograph of the third Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story brick building with stone accents and a taller tower on one corner. There are saddled horses along the fence in the foreground.

Copy negative of the third Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story brick building with stone accents and a taller tower on one corner. A gazebo is visible on the grounds, to the right, and several unidentified people are standing near one corner of the building.

Photo of an Spring Street (once Front Street) in Palestine, Texas. Railroad tracks are visible, as well as the original wooden depot.

Photo of the building at the corner of Spring and N. Sycamore streets. This building was occupied by Durr's Book Store, Kolstad's Jewelry Store and A.W. Gregg's Law Office was in the front of the second floor. You can see the steeple of the St. Phillips church in the background. This church has since been moved to the opposite side of the street. At the rear end, north, was the Post Office. The Watson Hotel was across the street on the corner of N. Sycamore. The Episcopal church then stood where Bratton Drug Store was later located. The man on the horse is Dr. H.H. Link, the father of Drs. E.W. and H.R. Link. Standing alongside is Mr. Ben Broyles, George Broyles father. West on Spring Street were Barnes's Tin Shop, owned by Dr. George Barnes's father; Mr. John Hearne's Drug Store; at least two saloons, one owned by Joe Ampson and one by Sam Stein and in one of the saloons was a billiard hall. Mr. Stein was Mrs. J.W. Henry's father.

Photo of an unidentified man standing with a horse and buggy rig.

Photo of the Dilley rifles in formation during what appears to be some kind of a parade up Avenue A in Palestine. Photo is taken looking toward the east. Note the tower from the jail in the background.

Photo of Spring Street looking toward the west.

Photo of Spring Street looking toward the East.

Photo of the side of firehouse #1 that housed the Palestine Fire Department, the home of the Hope Hook and Ladder Company.

Photo of Spring Street looking to the West.

Photo of Spring Street, Palestine, taking looking toward the west.

Copy negative of the third Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story brick building with stone accents and a taller tower on one corner. It is viewed from the other side of a dirt road.

Photograph of an ornate building identified as the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine, Texas. In the foreground, the lawn has been landscaped. In 1885, Palestine, like most of the country, was in the midst of a depression, complicated by a series of railroad strikes, so there was little new construction. However, Anderson County had to have a new courthouse because the old one was literally falling down. And they were determined to have the finest and most up-to-date building that could be constructed. The Architect that was hired was Wesley Clark Dodson of Waco and building commenced in June of 1885 after demolition was completed on the old building. It was completed in May 1886 at a cost of $40,000 and was indeed impressive looking with it's tall three story dome and clocktower. The life of the building was cut short when a couple of incendiaries set fire to it on the night of January 6, 1913, in order to destroy evidence against one of them. The plan failed because the actual court records were housed in fireproof rooms, which were not damaged.

Photo of the George Wright home, which was located in the 900 block of S. Sycamore. It was demolished when the Memorial Hospital was built.

Photo of the George Wright home, which was located in the 900 block of S. Sycamore. It was demolished when the Memorial Hospital was built.

Photo of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Booster Band of Palestine, Texas.

Photo of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Booster Band of Palestine, Texas.

Photo of an undentified church in Palestine.

Photo of what is thought to have been the original Railroad Depot in Palestine.

Photo of what is beleived to have been the original Palestine Depot.

Photo of a group of men at a hunter camp in Anderson County.