| “SAVE THE COURTHOUSE!” was the cry from many people throughout Grayson County and surrounding communities when it was decided by the Board of Supervisors to vacate the 1908 Courthouse and build a new modern courthouse for the county.
A citizen’s group called, “People and the Courthouse (PATCH)”, was formed in the early 80’s to raise money and community support for restoration of the old courthouse instead of demolition. An excellent public relations campaign began to raise awareness of the potential of the building and to solicit donations for restoration.
Ultimately, the old courthouse was offered for sale by the county and a local businessman, Dan Baldwin, purchased the Richardsonian-style building in 1985 for $110,525.75. At last rural politics and fears that tax dollars would be spent on an old relic no longer hindered the renovation of the old courthouse.
Stabilization and restoration of the building began that year and on July 4, 1986, Mr. Baldwin presented the Historic 1908 Courthouse as a gift to the people of Grayson County. The courthouse was then placed under the direction of the Historic 1908 Courthouse Foundation, a tax exempt, nonprofit organization which oversees the daily operation of the courthouse today.
|
