Courthouse Renovation

"IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK..." A PICTORIAL WALK THROUGH THE MILAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE, SET FOR RENOVATION

(Cameron) If only the walls of the Milam County Courthouse could talk... The first stage of work in the courthouse brought many discoveries. When workers began preparing the Milam County Courthouse for a renovation project many historic surprises were uncovered. For instance in the picture to the right, workers and architects began analyzing the District courtroom. The back wall, which current county residents remember as the public entrance to the room. Where the big wooden door is, was the two doors that entered the courtroom. When parts of the wall were taken out, contractors noticed a track in the doorways. It was then discovered that the room held 3 of these large wooden doors, which could be raised with counterweights into the wall and raised up behind the balcony.

This pillar, along with a mate across the room were discovered on the first floor

The balcony above the courtroom will be opened up and featured as part of the room. The balcony edge will be refinished to match the original color of the era courthouse, which will resemble the color of the big sliding door in the picture

One of the many treasures and discoveries that have been found... 1 of 3 sliding doors that entered the District Courtroom on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse

The raised doors from the District courtroom, below have been hiding behind this wall in the balcony for possibly some 60 years

Pictured above is the old sky-light that was constructed when the courthouse lost it's original top. The sky-light has been hidden to courthouse residents and visitors by a suspended ceiling that also hid the old balcony

Another example of the original color the walls and doorways will receive when renovation work is complete

When work in the courthouse is finished, the ceilings throughout the courthouse will hold this pressed tin, which filled the courthouse in it's original day

KMIL's Rob Reed toured the courthouse Monday, March 26th and he photographed some of the more unique features like these stone arched walls in the basement of the courthouse.

These unique arched walls have been hidden from the public eye for many years in the basement, which housed records and offices over the years. The courthouse is being renovated through a Texas Historical Commission grant, with matching monies funded by the county, with a price tag of 3.7 million dollars, of which Milam County will pay $800,000.

In the basement, workers uncovered these rather unique arched walls

Architect Kim Williams, who developed the master plan for the renovation is currently working to pare down some overruns on the plans for the project, which was also set to include ornate roofing in addition to the clock tower, which also engineered by Williams and his firm.

The District courtroom will be one of the showpieces of the courthouse when renovations are complete, and should begin in the next 60-90 days.

Right now the halls of the Milam County Courthouse reveal barren walls awaiting their new complexion

Here, the view from the balcony into the District courtroom

A counter weight is shown here, that once operated the windows in certain parts of the courthouse

Another photo from the basement shows where a wall once stood made of rock that separated rooms