The Somervell County Courthouse is a simple two story structure featuring elements of Romanesque Revival and General Grant architectural styles. Intersecting hallways on the first floor divide the first floor space into four sections. The second floor features a courtroom and some office space. The building is modest in size, oblong in shape, and approximately 60 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

Courthouse Square

The courthouse square, much like the courthouse building, is modest in size. The two most notable buildings on the square are the First National Bank Building and the Campbell Building.

The courthouse square has been a popular gathering place for Somervell residents since the late 1880′s. Back before cars and grocery stores, farmers would bring stock animals and other goods to the square to sell. That tradition is still alive and well today. Local farmers continue to bring fresh fruits, vegetables, and other items to the town square for sale. They set up on the west side of the square where there are benches and plenty of shade provided by old pecan trees. Both the farmers tasty offerings and the conversation are refreshingly unique.

County History

Around 1860 Charles and Juana Barnard built a three story stone gristmill along the Paluxy River. The town that eventually grew around the mill was called Barnard’s Mill. In 1871 T.C. Jordan, bought the mill and surrounding land from Charles Barnard. Mrs. T.C. Jordan called the area around Barnard’s Mill Rose Glen as a reminder of her native Scotland. Years later the town’s people voted to rename the town Glen Rose.

Location

107 NE Vernon St
Glen Rose, TX 76043

Information:  www.glenrose.org

Bibliography:
Leach, Dorothy, The Story of The Somervell County Courthouse. Somervell: Somervell Historical Commission, 1987.
Texas Historical Commission, Texas Historic Sites Atlas. http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/, 2003.

County: Somervell
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Copyright © 2009 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved

If you find yourself passing through Glen Rose Texas, and your hungry for barbecue, Hammond’s is a place you may want to check out.

The barbecue and the sides are good. They have all the standard offerings, brisket, sausage, ribs and all the sides are there. The onion rings are good, and the potato salad is first rate. Ice tea comes in a Mason jar. Over the years, they have stayed consistently good.

The interior is an interesting mix of old farm tools, bird cages, knickknacks, funny signs, license plates and of course a large plastic bull. The place has burned down a few times over the years, but they just savage what they can and rebuild. Years ago they had wood chips on the floor to keep the dust down, but they quit that a while back.

Locals seem to patronize this place. After church on Sunday your going to wait a little while to get served. Generally the best restaurant in town has the fullest parking lot and that seems to be the case with Hammond’s BBQ.

Location

1106 N.E. Big Bend Trail
Glen Rose Texas, 76043
www.hammondsbbq.com

County: Somervell
Map

Copyright © 2008 by Sam Fenstermacher
All rights reserved