Yes, I’m a little behind on Day Trip reporting. The winter weather and helter-skelter of life has kept me from reporting as well as doing much travelling around. Never fear, I will catch up and soon be on the road again!
A beautiful Sunday afternoon called to me for a little drive to Gonzales, Texas. My main purpose was to visit the Gonzales County Courthouse, one of the 18 Texas Courthouses designed by James Riely Gordon. The Courthouse did not disappoint me and I was surprised to discover that Gonzales is a delightful little town with many interesting buildings that I’m sure have many stories for me to discover. It also had a major role in the Texas Revolution and the residents are fiercely proud of that role!
Twelve of Gordon’s Courthouses are extant and in use today, each one distinct in its appearance, but most are based on the same unique and functional design. After visiting several, I now find comparing the similarities of his Romanesque Revival Courthouses to be a fun game!
Yes, Gonzales is synonymous with the phrase “Come and Take It” that Texans like to use and, just as the City claims, it is where the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired. Two bronze cannons had been provided to protect the citizens of Gonzales in 1831. When the Mexican army demanded the larger one be returned in the fall of 1835, the colonists buried it and told the Mexicans to “Come and Take It”. The Mexican army was unsuccessful in retrieving either cannon and the larger cannon made its way to San Antonio where it was used to defend the Alamo. You can read more about the argument and the subsequent history of the cannons on the Texas State Historical Association website.
And, of course there is a feed store. If it had been open, I promise I would have been headed inside!
Small Simple Things of Life 
Enjoyed the tour through this nice little town. You can tell the buildings are old. Theses buildings do look well cared for. I enjoyed the history lesson.
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The Gonzales County Courthouse is a work of art! Amazing. And I learned a bit of history. I look forward to reading about your day trips. Thanks for your post, and enjoy your day!
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Ah, J. Riely Gordon–one of my favorite architects! The Wise County courthouse in Decatur is one of his also, and looks very much like the Gonzalez design–they are both beautiful. If my memory serves correctly, he also designed the former Stephens County courthouse in Breckenridge. When it was demolished, they retained the beautiful sandstone door arch with the cornerstone.
These photographs of the town street remind me of how beautiful some of the small towns are that have retained their historic architecture. Looking forward to another road tripping day!
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Yes, I think I remember that Gordon designed the one that was in Breckenridge. I am planning to do a post soon and compare the ones that I’ve visited so far.
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Oh, that will be great! I will be excited to see them all!
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