Lamar County Courthouse, Part X

For those of you just joining us or for those of you who do not want to wade back through my blog for the previous parts of this renovation series, I have provided links for your lazy tails here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V (The Big Momma- where I photograph the inside for the first time) Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII and Part IX. As always, you can click on any of the photos in this blog to enlarge them.

Quite a bit of work has happened on the LCCH Renovation since I last ventured inside or blogged about it. Here’s a quick list:

• All the Spanish tiles have been laid on the roof.
• Additional cinder block bump outs on the wings have been painted black and had windows installed. I do know now the purpose of the black paint. Sealant? We’ll see. The metal beams have not had the columns installed around them yet.
• Mechanical heating/cooling and electrical units have been installed in the bump outs and access to the roof via metal ladders have been added.
• Tile has gone done in some rooms that will eventually be bathrooms and some stone backsplash has been added.
• Plumbing and electrical wiring has been replaced and/or mostly completed.
• The elevator shaft has been completed, elevator installed and drywall complete around it.
• Plaster and drywall has been completed and primed in many rooms. Most openings have Art Deco corners to compliment the original Art Deco corners on the second floor openings.
• Holes have been knocked in two walls on the first floor and large openings with Art Deco corners have been completed in order to open up the first floor. Prior to this, the first floor consisted of a hallway and four large rooms with one doorway each.
• Most support beams that are not in walls have been drywalled and plastered.
• Roof of the courtroom has been completed with plaster, molding details and openings for recessed canister lighting over the judge’s dais.
• Building has been thoroughly insulated.
• The majority of the windows throughout the courthouse have been replaced with new energy efficient storm windows.
• Handicapped ramp to the back door has partially been jackhammered and removed. I suppose the handicap access will be installed at a different location.

Here is a photo from the early 1900’s and below it, a photo taken today from the same angle to show perspective. The entire roof line has now been changed so I am wondering if they will do a flat roof or a pitched roof (like the original) on the bump outs and wings to tie the building together? The metal beams will be covered with columns but I do not know how the black cinder blocks will be finished. The new clock tower has not been started, from what I can tell.

Jackhammered handicap ramp and concrete sidewalk, including jackhammer:

New openings in first floor walls with Art Deco corners:

Completed elevator shaft, elevator and surrounding drywall on first floor:

Lots more windows to install:

Column capitals and bases:

Can’t really tell the color in the photo because of the construction dust but take my word for it. New slate gray tile in what will be a bathroom on the second floor:

Beautiful stone wall in what will be a bathroom on second floor:

Inside of a new addition on the second floor. Very fancy heating and cooling system, electrical box and ladder to the left that leads to roof access. No, I didn’t go up there:

Roof hatch:

Back side of the courtroom on the second floor with the newly completed plaster on the ceiling, facing what will be the judge’s dais:

Plaster detail at the roofline:

Balcony overlooking the courtroom with new plaster ceiling:

Another view of the balcony from the cast iron staircase:

There are large plastic wrapped… somethings in the parking-lot-turned-construction-yard: