Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Federal Courthouse, Selma

What goes on inside a U.S. courthouse?

This 1909 structure has housed offices of U.S. congressmen, the IRS, FBI, U.S. Department of Agriculture and of course, federal district court. All those offices aren't necessarily still there, but the courtrooms see use upon occasion. Its scales of justice have weighed evidence in drug trials, voting and mail fraud cases, voting district changes and the city's fight for the return of Craig Air Force Base land.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The arch honors Selma's two U.S. senators, John Tyler Morgan and Edmund Winston Pettus, who both served Alabama at the same time.

6 comments:

GMG said...

Beautiful framing, lovely picture! I know some US Courthouses (in NYC) and several other Courthouses around the world; they're usually this imposing!

Anonymous said...

Nice photo. Excellent narrative. As I looked at the arch I noticed the one keystone is a different color. If it is limestone, and I bet it is, this might be an indication that the limestone has become what we call, "rotten," and will crumble away and the arch will come down. Hopefully not on someone's head.

Abraham Lincoln
Just a Lily today, plus a shaft of sunshine on my oak tree. A blessing for a bountiful crop — I hope.
Brookville Daily Photo

Janet said...

Thanks for your comments.
That's a keen observation about the arch, Mr. Lincoln. Thank you very much, and I will notify federal authorities immediately!

Shammickite said...

I love the perspective in this picture, and the lovely warm colour of the stone.

magiceye said...

an imposing structure displayed with a wonderful perspective!

Irina said...

Interesting shooting angle! I like that building and the arch.

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