Charles R. Stripling operated the Stripling Farm Dairy, established in 1902, in North Fort Worth at 2201 Hanna Drive. Among the preserved items in his small collection of documents and photographs in Special Collections are views of the farm, a portrait of Stripling, a scene at Baylor College in Belton, Texas, and an unidentified, presumably Texas courthouse. At the lower left side of the photo is a building sign partially obscured by tree limbs, which appears to say "Hodges Family Grocery." It covers a larger painted sign, the last two letters of which are "A" and "C." Photos that we have of Texas county courthouses do not match this one. It is possibly an early structure that burned and was reconstructed in a newer architectural design. If you can identify this courthouse, or have an identified photo of the courthouse, please call or write Shirley Rodnitzky in Special Collections, (817) 272-7512, or email rodnitzky@uta.edu

Courthouse Mystery Solved! Bob Brinkman of the Texas Historical Commission, History Programs Division, identified the unknown courthouse as the Willliamson County courthouse in Georgetown, Texas, built 1877-1878. The architect was F. E. Ruffini and John Didelot was awarded the building contract. The courthouse was completed and turned over to the county, September 2, 1878. Unfortunately, it showed signs of deterioration as early as 1903. Considered not only unsafe but inadequate, it was condemned in 1908 by the commissioners court who noted that the building had a defective foundation and walls. Construction of the present building was completed in 1911 by W. C. Whitney of Beaumont. It was designed by Charles H. Page of Austin.--webmaster 5/29/02