You know the old cliché, “better to be poor in America that rich any were else.” It is usually spoken by middle class who have never been to other countries let alone understood or lived in poverty here in the US. But, even so, there is so much truth wrapped up in this thought. The most thought associated with this is that the poor has it easy here is the underlying accusation and it is (for the most part) true. America’s indigents do have several resources here to aid in their plight that is not in every country.

However the better thought behind the saying is more on the value of liberty. It’s the idea that liberty is worth more that status, money, power, even food and life. It is such a strong and powerful idea that it still rings out today after 235 years. “We pledge our life’s, our fortune’s and our sacred honor.”, is more than just a clever saying. Many who signed that document did in fact die and many lost their fortunes and family for this idea. Why? Is liberty that important?

Well yes it is important. That is obvious. But beyond that it is our obligation to human development and knowledge that behooves us to fight for this ideal. Liberty is given to each individual from God and that, in and of itself, gives us charge to pursue it and protect it. If ever you witness injustice it is you solemn duty to defend this precious God gift. The requirement is bound to every American, to pledge your live, your fortune, and your sacred honor for the preservation of liberty, because it’s God’s gift you are preserving.

We all would rather become poor in defending preserving, and pursuing liberty that to become a rich tyrant.

Happy Independence Day!

Above is a photo of one of the existing capitals on the Harris County Courthouse.The are at the top of the center rotunda  There are four of them and all of the centers of the capitals have been removed in the past. We were contracted to recreate the center element.

We first created a rubber mold of the largest remaining parts. We then cast parts those parts in our shop and installed them into a frame to start building the complete capital.

We measured the distances between the decorative elements so that we built it holding the same size as what was on site. We built it laying down to so that carving would be easer.

Here is the where we started the building of the mockup. you can see on each side is plaster castings that came out of the molds we made so that the replicate the sides. the top ledge is the top run shelf on the existing captals. We installe wood framing and lathed over the wood so we could plaster in as have the starting shape.

Here I"m plastering over the lath and framing creating the trunk shape of the capital.

We installed leaves that were also cast from molds made on site to start the shaft of the capital. We then installed framing and then lathed it and plastered as we did the vertical trunk of the capital. After all of this we now has the basic shape started and could start building the elements.

Here I have started the large center element. I started this first so that I had a feel for the scale.
After thisIi started filling in the leaves.

The completed capital can be viewed here.

Hundreds of hours have been put into this project. once approval is received we will make a rubber mold of the capital and start casting the four capitals. ship them to the sight and install. I will have post additional photos on the installation in the future.