Texas Justice unveils nearly 100 of Texas’ 254 county courthouses, of which 234 have the distinction of being a Historical Courthouse; and 84 of these Historic Courthouses have the double crown of being a National Register Property. Take a tour through Texas heritage beginning with the early log courthouses which evolved to the European influence by renowned architects like J. Riely Gordon, who designed the 1902 McLennan County Beaux-Arts style Historic Courthouse, which is said to be inspired by Saint Peter’s in Rome and the 1896 Denton County Historic Courthouse designed by W. C. Dodson in Romanesque Revival style of stone with eighty pink granite columns. Shackelford County was the first courthouse Rededicated in the Texas Courthouse Preservation Program in 2001 by Dale Sellers, Phoenix I Restoration & Construction.
The rough justice of a guilty verdict by hanging to the modern judicial system of a twelve man jury is represented in famous cases told by "Texas Legal Legends." In the Foreword by legendary Richard "Racehorse" Haynes, he says, "Like all courtroom veterans, Texas Justice reminds me of how far we have come from the trial of Jack Ruby for the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, million dollar disputes over oil rights and the trials of serial killers like Henry Lee Lucas—to mention just a few of the landmark trials that have taken place in Texas Courthouses of Texas Justice."
The case of "Superman the Bull Wins $8.5 Million" is told by John O’Quinn of Harris County; Harold Nix reveals the biggest case of Morris County, "The Forty Year Toxic Cloud;" Roy Barrera, Sr., Bexar County, reveals a famous criminal case "A Black Eye or Russian Roulette?;" and Frank Branson of Dallas County even received the cufflink shooters that were worn in the Jack Ruby trial. And "Believe it or not!" in 1897, Old Rip, the "Miracle Horny Toad," was enclosed in the Eastland County courthouse during construction—31 years later he was found alive!
From the hanging gallows to the electric chair; from horse thieves to corporate raiders; these Texas courthouses have been visited by the likes of all! The verdict is in, Texas Justice: The Legacy of Historical Courthouses has captured the lore of the past and presents the law of the twenty-first century, petitioned with the architectural beauty and history of the belle of the county seat, the courthouse—truly a captivating book for all!
