The current Hamilton County Courthouse was built in 1887 from native limestone for a little over $30,000. The courthouse was remodeled in 1932 and cost almost $56,000. At that time the wings on the north and south sides were added as well as the basement. For more about the Hamilton County Courthouse visit the Hamilton County Gazetteer.
For more Sky Watch visit Tom.
Baghdad: The Next Hot Tourist Destination
While I wouldn’t select Baghdad as the destination for my next vacation that is the image Iraqi officials envision for their capital city. Some Iraqi officials are planning an extreme make-over. Officials are examining plans to promote Baghdad as a place of leisure. Among the proposed ideas to promote Baghdad as a great tourist destination are plans to build a 600+ ft ferris wheel. The project is nicknamed The Bagahad Eye and will be about 200 feet taller than the London Eye. No I’m not making this one up, read the article USA Today. Somehow building a giant ferris wheel in a city that is plagued by sectarian violence doesn’t make sense.
Lost in The Country … Find a Cow
According to research presented at the British National Academy of Sciences it appears that cattle and deer have a natural tendency to align their bodies north-to-south. Read more from BBC News.
But All the Cool Kids Are Riding Bikes To School …
Due to raising gas prices, an increased awareness of the environment and to promote healthy life styles many colleges and high schools have adopted programs to promote the use of bicycles. Programs include everything from increased bike paths to free bikes. Read the article in USA Today.
Yeah, I Killed Your Dog but You Should Pay to Fix My Car
Earlier this year Jeffery of Ely ran over Fester, a miniature Pinscher with his 1997 Honda Civic. The impact killed the tiny dog on impact. Fester had managed to escape from her owner Nikki Munthe and ran into the road. Ely has sued the Munthes for damages done to his Civic due to the accident. He believes the owners should be held responsible for the accident. The dog was not allowed to run free but had managed to wiggle past the owner as she owned the front door. It doesn’t appear that the owners were negligent. Read more on Fox News.
It’s a Bird no It’s a Kitty
That’s right a tabby in China started growing furry wings this summer. The winged feline became quite a popular attraction. Eventually the owner clipped the wings off out of fear the cat would fly away or be abducted by admirers. No, I’m not making this up, read the original post on Fox News.
The Ft.Worth Herd on its afternoon drive through Stockyards.
Ft. Worth, Texas or Cowtown became famous for its stockyards. The Ft. Worth Herd began in its daily cattle drives through the streets of the historic Stockyards in 1999. The Ft. Worth herd is comprised of the iconic Longhorn cattle.
Cattle played an important part of the economy of Ft Worth first with cattle trails like the Chisholm trails. With the arrival of the railroad in 1876 Ft. Worth became a major shipping center for cattle. In the early 1990’s, Armour and Swift companies opened meat packing house in the stockyards. The Livestock Exchange built in 1902 soon became known as “the Wall Street of the West“. In 1917 (WWI) the Ft. Worth Stockyards was the largest horse and mule market in the world. Business in The Stockyards hit its peak during World War II. With the rise of the trucking industry after WWII the stockyards begin to decline and hit an all-time low in 1986. In 1976, The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historical District was created. Today the cattle pens of the Stockyards now house many unique shops and restaurants.
Ft. Worth has come a long way from its roots as U.S. Army Outpost on the Western frontier and wild cattle town. Today it is the 17th largest city in the United States. It has several museums and cultural venues including the Bass Performance Hall and the Kimbell Art Museum. One my favorites is the Ft. Worth Botanic Garden located near the Trinity River and as bonus most of it is free. TCU, Texas Wesleyan University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Tarrant County College all call Ft. Worth home. For a taste of Ft. Worth visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Ft. Worth Weekend page.
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Recently my ABC Wednesday entry featured a glimpse of the Blue Ridge Community. Since posting those pictures I have been sent more pictures and thought I would share some more about Blue Ridge. While I never lived at Blue Ridge my mom and grandparents grew up there. I did spend time at my Granny’s house, on the farm with my Granddaddy and at the church.
T.E. Stribling home about 1907.
Originally built by Henry J. Carter in 1872, the house was bought by my great-great grandparents, T.E. Stribling in 1907. A kitchen was added to the back of the house. The wagon tracks are approximately in the same location as the current road. A big barn was built several yards in front of the house. As a youngster I always wondered why the barn was on the other side of the road. I didn’t realize that the when the farm was built there was no road.
T. E. Stribling Family
T. E. Stribling and Sons
Picture of Granny Crain probably taken during WWII. Notice the star pin on her lapel.
Granddaddy & Uncle Edwin
I am sure by now you have seen this one. It seems that last week when Tropical Storm Fay was pounding the Florida coast Ft. Lauderdale resident Kevin Kearny decided that it would be a great time to go kite boarding. Gee, I guess all that wind was too tempting for him.
Thank you Antigoni
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