the Kahn & Stanzel Building

The Kahn & Stanzel Building has served as one of the anchors the northwest corner of the Lavaca County Courthouse square in Hallettsville, Texas, since its construction in 1890. The two story stone Italianate, Neo-Grec and Romanesque Revival building today has been restored to its beginnings when it was designed by the famed Texas architect, James Riely Gordon. In November of 2014 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

...around 1950

...around 1950

We started in 1999. THe rear coner 1/4th of the building was brought down stone by stone and rebuilt exactly as it had been originally.

We started in 1999. THe rear coner 1/4th of the building was brought down stone by stone and rebuilt exactly as it had been originally.

As difficult as the rear reconstruction, the repalcement of individual carved stones on the front resulted in sleepless nights for the 2 weeks or so the construction lasted on the east facade.

As difficult as the rear reconstruction, the repalcement of individual carved stones on the front resulted in sleepless nights for the 2 weeks or so the construction lasted on the east facade.

A steel armature was constructed that attached itself to the exterior. The srmature had to entirely support all of the stones in the wall above the springline of the arches in the transoms. 

A steel armature was constructed that attached itself to the exterior. The srmature had to entirely support all of the stones in the wall above the springline of the arches in the transoms. 

The armature had to provide both support for the stones above, but more importantly provide access the stones that needed to be replaced..a not so easy feat.

The armature had to provide both support for the stones above, but more importantly provide access the stones that needed to be replaced..a not so easy feat.

The interior of the first floor was almost already gutted before acquisition by the owner, however it did profide the clues necessary for its reconstruction.

The interior of the first floor was almost already gutted before acquisition by the owner, however it did profide the clues necessary for its reconstruction.

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The last piece, the exterior cornice, was in place finally in 2012.

The last piece, the exterior cornice, was in place finally in 2012.

A view of from the porch of the courthouse.

A view of from the porch of the courthouse.

A view towards the rear of the building showing how it looks today.

A view towards the rear of the building showing how it looks today.

A view towards the front of the building showing how it looks today.

A view towards the front of the building showing how it looks today.