Bonham, Texas -- On Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m., Mary Helen Dodson - a historian, author, and great granddaughter of her subject - will be at the Fannin County Courthouse to present her just-published book, The Architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson: Legacy of a Good Name.
The architect of the Fannin County Courthouse, Wesley Clark Dodson is considered one of the preeminent architects of Texas' Golden Age of Courthouse Construction, in the late nineteenth century.
The talk and accompanying slide show will cover:
Who Wesley Clark Dodson was as a man and what drove him to build courthouses, churches, schools and other public buildings.
The transition he made from a pre-Civil War master builder to a professional architect and the important role he played in making architecture a profession.
Dodson's known public buildings, especially the courthouses in 18 counties and particularly those still standing, all of which are Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and most of which are in the National Register of Historic Places.
The technological innovations he made in construction and the evolution of his architectural designs.
The preservation movement in Texas. To date over $400M has been spent preserving 19th century Texas courthouses and Texas' heritage.
After the presentation, Ms. Dodson will be available to answer questions and sign books.
