After a decade of planning, research and work, the restoration of the Comal County courthouse is finished.
The courthouse was built in 1898 in New Braunfels and has served since then as the Comal County seat.
Recommended Videos
Many of the building's original features have been restored, including the county safe, floor tiles and the judge's bench in the main courtroom, according to County Judge Sherman Krause.
"We tried to maintain original as much as we could," said Krause.
The restoration included extensive work in the basement of the building. It was built on an extremely solid foundation.
"They expected to find this foundation, but what they didn't expect was concrete poured in a pyramid shape below the bricks to make a solid foundation to sit on," said Krause.
The bell tower atop the courthouse will feature musical bells that actually ring.
The main courtroom is the crown jewel of the courthouse, according to Krause. Though it is historically preserved, the courtroom includes computer terminals, since county commissioners will use it for their regular business.
"This is a working commissioners courtroom, so obviously we have to have that technology to be able to perform those functions," he said.
The $8.6 million project includes a $3.4 million contribution from the Texas Historical Commission.
Formal dedication ceremonies are set for Tuesday and will include a ribbon cutting and balloon releases.
For a list of stories that Paul Venema has done, click here.