Forgetting it was the weekend, I kept wondering why the courthouse was closed. Anyway, there were…read moreplenty of historical plaques, markers, and other signs to read and enjoy. After walking around the courthouse taking pictures and enjoying the sites and sounds, I soaked in the neighboring stores along the square/plaza. Tons of stuff to enjoy and occupy my time. Don't miss out on what Cleburne has to offer.

Johnson County is named for Middleton T. Johnson (1810-1866), native of South Carolina for 7 terms…read morean Alabama legislator, and a leading Texan after 1840. He served in the 9th Texas Legislature, Texas Rangers, Mexican War, and Civil War. The county was created and organized 1854, from land earlier in counties of Ellis, Hill and Navarro. I spent a week in Cleburne, which the county seat of Johnson County and visited downtown a couple of times. The courthouse here is visible from a good few miles away and this historical marker is located outside the courthouse, which is where I saw it and photographed it. This marker stands in front of the impressive and historic courthouse in downtown Cleburne. It reads, "Organized in 1854, Johnson County located its seat of government in Wardville and Buchanan before moving in 1867 to Camp Henderson, which later became Cleburne. The Buchanan Courthouse was moved to the new county seat and used until 1869, when the county constructed a new two-story brick building. By 1880, that facility had become too small, and three years later a magnificent second empire courthouse, designed by W.C. Dodson, took its place." "Fire destroyed Dodson's 1883 building on April 15, 1912, and the commissioners court chose German-born Otto Lane (1864-1947) and Welshman Frank Witchell (1879-1958) to design their new house of justice. While many firms of the time were designing Beaux Arts or Late Victorian structures, Land and Witchell were fond of the increasingly popular Prairie School style as inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. Johnson County courthouse drawings are attributed to architect Charles E. Barglebraugh, the project architect for Lang and Witchell who trained under Wright." "Completed in 1913, the courthouse is very similar to Land and Witchell's Cooke County courthouse in Gainesville, Texas. Designed on a basic Beaux Arts plan but modernized with Prairie style elements and Sullivanesque details, the Johnson County courthouse features a prominent clock tower and an impressive six-story interior atrium topped by a stained art glass dome." "At the dawn of the 21st Century, the Johnson County courthouse remains in service as the center of county government." The outside of the building is lovely and I was told by Jim (in the Published Page Bookshop across the street https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-published-page-bookshop-cleburne?hrid=dKj6y-Vzj7e_3CwS0OUZ7Awhich you absolutely need to go visit) that the inside is amazing. But it was securely locked up at 6pm when I was here. YELP: I'VE BEEN HERE. I'VE SEEN THIS MARKER. I HAVE A PERSONAL CONSUMER EXPERIENCE. [Review 16047 overall - 233 in Texas - 1552 of 2021.]

Best in the area!!! Totally volunteer organization, this is a good example of what a Volunteer…read moreFire Department should be.

About 45 minutes south of Ft Worth is the historic and still smallish town of Granbury Texas…read more Growing up in Dallas I was familiar with the name and where it's located but,I never visited. I've been to many of the surrounding towns like Cleburn and Weatherford but, just never had occasion to go through Granbury. That all changed yesterday when I was in need of a day trip. You know, the kind that refreshes. The whole idea of driving an hour or two and exploring and discovering a place you haven't been always pushes my hot button. Granbury has been a popular day trip spot due to its Dallas Ft Worth proximity for sometime. It began " Gentrifying" long before it was trendy. Partially because of the lake that's there as a result of the Brazos river. Combine that with a small Texas town and you have a winner. I rolled into town about 10:30 am on a cloudy and chilly day. Parked the car and began walking around the square. In the center of the square,as with most Texas Towns,sits the Hood County Courthouse. Texas courthouses are located in the county seat. In this case Granbury. As a result,counties grew out of this design and a lot of significant history lies in the court houses of Texas. A bonus is,85% of them are archetectually beautiful. The Hood County Courthouse is less beautiful but still unique. I didn't have time to fully explore but, will return to do so. There is a lot of limestone readily available around this area and as a result,a significant number of the historic buildings were built from it. This has resulted in most of them surviving over 100 plus years and adding to the charming aesthetic of the town square. Nothing is vacant here. All the buildings in town are preserved , restored and occupied. I love to see that. Too many of our small towns are decaying due to lack of demand and neglect. If you live within an hour or two,you can't go wrong checking out the historic Granbury Square with all its shopping,restaurants and historical attractions. Go!

The Granbury Square is actually a truly neat area of Granbury, TX…read more It's no surprise that it lies near Lake Granbury - or rather, the Brazos River. The one negative I found was the majority of the road signage. Could be clearer. Put in more adequate places. Nearby is the Hilton Garden Inn where I stayed. If you're able to shell out even more money than that, I was highly intrigued with places like Hotel Lucy, Inn on Lake Granbury, Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast, and that place I really wanted to snooze in at... N on the Square. Without someone to accompany on this Thanksgiving road trip, I did not feel inclined to dig so deep into my pocketbook. The Square itself was decorated rather tastefully for Christmas when I was there 11/25-26/2023. Other points of interest that piqued my interest: + Granbury Opera House + ghost tours (there were at least two that I saw mentioned, but not sure if they were even open) + The Fillin' Station (a burger joint) + several other eateries including a taco shop, coffee bar, a wine bar, saloon, and a few shops and boutiques Public restrooms were available. Parking was free in all of the lots and side streets I drove past. Lastly, I would like to recommend the Ketzler's Schnitzel Haus and Biergarten for dinner. I have a review for that place in queue.

Built in 1875 for James Doyle, this High Style House with Queen Ann stylistic influence now serves…read moreas The Captain's Den Bed and Breakfast for visitors and tourists to Granbury. The home is one of the few remaining large homes built in Granbury before 1900 that has not burned and then been rebuilt, has not had the front façade totally restyled or been moved from its original site. 80% of the windows and the diamond shaped stained glass window are original to the home. The only structural changes made to the house have been the addition of a workshop, office, and parking areas. A few porches and balconies have been enclosed for the addition of bathrooms, but the overall outline of the home remains the same. All the materials used in the additions have been complimentary to the era of the structure, some of them even being recycled off the home. James Hogan Doyle was a decorated hero in the Civil War and moved to Granbury in 1870. James H. Doyle was Hood County's fourth treasurer and served as chairman on the Granbury School Board. He was also the original director of the First National Bank of Granbury. He co-owned the Baker-Doyle Building which is one of the oldest buildings on the Square. James Doyle was a charter member of the Granbury Masonic Lodge, founded in 1875, and was instrumental in getting the first bridge built across the Brazos River. The James H. Doyle House was designated a Granbury Historical Landmark by the City of Granbury Historic Commission November 2, 1999. This information was obtained from their website.

We came to Granbury from NYC for the first time this weekend to visit family and were completely…read morecharmed by this beautiful B&B. From the first moment we walked through the doors, you can tell the amount of care and attention to detail that was put into restoring this home and keeping the history alive in its walls. We woke up each morning at 9:00am (on the dot!) to a surprise tray of home baked goodies, fresh fruit and OJ. Coffee station set up in our room allowed us to take our time getting up in the morning and enjoy the slow, relaxed pace of Granbury. Couldn't be more thankful to Tina and her family for hosting us this weekend while we visited my parents. Highly recommend! Side note - The town and shops are absolutely enchanting! Think Stars Hollow for those Gilmore fans out there.

This primitive farmhouse was built around 1916 for Will Stringfellow and his family. The home was…read morebuilt of lumber and other old materials from Confederate Major John A. Formwalt's first Granbury residence, which was located on the same site. Formwalt settled in what is now Hood County in the 1850s. He formed a local militia to fight the Indians as early Hood County settlers ventured West of the Brazos River. He served under General Hiram Granbury during the Civil War. Formwalt later became a three-term Granbury justice of the peace. The Stringfellow home still occupies a quarter-block, and was actually a small farmstead in the village. Here the Stringfelllows planted a large vegetable garden, nurtured fruit trees, raised a cow, and stabled their horses and a team of mules. Their small farmstead had a water well, a storm cellar, an outhouse and a carriage house, all built by Major Formwalt. The late Mrs. Helen Gilmartin, a descendant of several pioneer Hood County families, purchased this farmstead in 1975. She furnished the home with her antique collection, and many of her local pieces remain in the house. Mrs. Gilmartin, a noted antique dealer, recreated an authentic old country store, in the rock structure next door, called "Gilmartins General Store", which she opened to the public. Mrs. Gilmartin was also known for her circa 1950s aluminum Christmas tree she left up year round. The steep Victorian cross gables are a significant architectural element of the Stringfellow-Gilmartin Farmhouse. The interior of this home features rough-hewn wood walls, original woodwork and sliding pocket doors. The Stringfellow-Gilmartin House was designated a local landmark July 1, 2008. This information was obtained from their website.

The previous review was many years ago when this was a B&B. This house is under new ownership and…read morehas been beautifully restored. It is now available as a guesthouse through AirBNB and has all the wonderful amenities of an upscale boutique hotel. The history of the home, in the article, is accurate, however. Only two blocks off the amazing Historic Granbury Square, this home is the perfect getaway!

The Baker-Carmichael House was built in 1905 for Granbury Merchant and Banker, Jess Baker. This…read morehouse was later home to Granbury Physician, Dr. Archibald Carmichael. The original owner and builder of the house, Jess Baker, in 1875, opened a hardware store in Granbury with his brother. Jess Baker also partnered with Sam Smith in Baker and Smith Hardware and Baker and Smith Implement Company; he was also a partner in Baker-Rylee Hardware. Jess Baker also served as Vice-President of First National Bank and served on the Bank's first Board of Directors. Jess Baker also served several terms in the Texas House of Representatives beginning in 1906. Dr. Archibald Carmichael, one of Granbury's most prominent physicians, bought the house in 1925. This is a particularly superb and well kept example of High Style Queen Ann/Neoclassical Architecture. The home was built at a cost of approximately $18,000 with the head carpenter receiving $1.50 a day, and his helper receiving $1.00 a day. The Baker-Carmichael was one of the first homes in Granbury to have electricity, indoor plumbing and telephone service. The Carmichael family did not make many changes to the house over the years, with the exception of adding bathrooms and a more modernized kitchen. The Baker-Carmichael House is now owned by David Southern and his wife, Claudia. Mr. Southern is currently the Mayor of the City of Granbury. The Baker-Carmichael House was designated a Granbury Historical Landmark by the City of Granbury Historic Commission June 1, 1999. This information was obtained from their website.

The Nutt House, also known as "D.L. Nutt Home" was built in 1879 in its existing location. The…read morehouse remains one of the best examples of a High-Style, Greek revival home. The charm of the structure has been maintained by its inhabitants for the last 120 years. The home was designed and built by a man whose last name was Evans. He also built the Hannaford House on Lambert Street. The house, described both as a High Style Victorian or Plantation-style home with Greek Revival details, still retains its original detail. The historic, architectural and cultural significance of the house is evidenced by the fact that the house is in its original location and has been largely maintained in its original state. The fact that the house was constructed by a skilled local craftsman demonstrates the uniqueness of the house's design. The house was built for David Lee Nutt who was a very successful business owner in Granbury's early history. Nutt was an early Hood County entrepreneur who was also involved in the development of several of Granbury's most important institutions including churches, schools and a bridge built over the Brazos River in 1878. The Nutt family is arguably the most significant family in Granbury and Hood County's history. Additionally, the woman who restored the home in 1967 was Mary Lou Watkins Nutt, who is widely regarded as the founder of the preservation movement in Granbury. David Lee Nutt was involved in the early settlement of Granbury, even though he was one of the youngest of all the Nutt brothers. In fact, he was involved in defending the territory in significant Indian raids and won the heart of Sudie Garland, daughter of Captain Peter Garland who led local campaigns to defend the area from Indian raids. By all accounts, D.L. Nutt was a very industrious entrepreneur who worked very hard in the business he shared with his brothers. After building the house, D.L and Sudie opened their home to the "drummers" or travelling salesmen who were showcased their wares for the Nutt's mercantile store. In fact, it was Sudie who finally persuaded her husband to add a wing on to the house to accommodate these individuals, thereby opening Granbury's first hotel - The Nutt House. A narrative of the family provided to the Texas Historical Commission describes the friendly nature of D.L. and Sudie, "As host and hostess, Mr. Nutt and his amiable wife are without peers as entertainers, and all who stop beneath their roof are made to feel at home." The Nutts closed the hotel in 1900 and dismantled the wing addition and porches were added to the home. Mary Lou Watkins who was the granddaughter of D.L. and Sudie purchased the house in the mid-1960s and began an extensive restoration. The home is a fantastic example of a High-Style Victorian with Greek revival influence, which was somewhat rare for this part of the country in 1879. The Nutts added a wing onto the house when Ms. Nutt decided to profit from the drummers who came home with Mr. Nutt. The Nutts entertained their guests for a few years and the "Nutt House" hotel wing was removed in 1900 and converted to expansive porches. When Mary Lou Watkins began renovations on the home in the 1960s, she eliminated the expansive front porch and restored much of the interior. She obtained a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark in 1967. The current owner, Mr. Stuart Brown, also completed an extensive restoration on much of the outside of the home by re-leveling the foundation and restoring porch balusters and columns. Additionally, Mr. Brown added another bathroom upstairs to one of the bedrooms, thereby extending the upstairs footprint. The house includes most of the original woodwork and windows as well as much of the interior floors. Ms.Watkins replaced the staircase with a staircase obtained from a historic home in Dallas. The interior of the home also maintains much of its original moldings and millwork. While all the information on the architect and builder of the home has not been obtained, we do know that Mr. Evans also designed and constructed the Hannaford House, another fine home in Granbury. The home was constructed from cypress lumber hauled from east Texas by an oxcart. The Nutt House is most assuredly a familiar visual feature of the city. Because it was built on site 120 years ago, the home has seen Granbury through many eras. The house is one of the largest and most magnificent of all the historic homes in Granbury. The home is included in Granbury's tour of homes and is a very popular stop when it is included on the Candlelight Tour of Homes. The D.L. Nutt-Watkins House was designated a local landmark November 17, 2009. This information was obtained from their website.

This live oak tree was designated a Granbury historic tree April 26, 2002 in honor of Arbor Day…read more The home in front of which this tree stands was built in 1873 for the President of Granbury College. This tree was standing when that home was built. The tree is reportedly over 500 years old and was landmarked by the Forestry Service to prevent the demolition of the tree in a proposed project to widen the road. This information was obtained from their website.