Albany Courthouse
from www.AlbanyTexas.com
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Whatever brings you to Casa de Carmen
you will be welcome here. To
fully enjoy your time here you may want to explore the area.
A walk, or drive, of 2 blocks north on Main
Street will take you past several shops. Albany
Interiors for furniture, The Kitchen Works
for cookware and Blanton Caldwell Trading Company.
I do my clothes and Christmas shopping there. Can’t
beat the prices! And you’ve never really relaxed unless
you’ve casually strolled the aisles at a small town
hardware store. Stop by at Albany Hardware,
say “Hi” to Jacob, and look for hunting accessories
or useful things.
 Take
a 15 minute drive north on Highway 183 to Fort Griffin
State Historic Site. This historic jewel was recently
transferred from the state park system to the Texas Historical
Commission. If you are in Albany you MUST see this before
leaving. Fort Griffin played a major and significant role
in the history of Texas and this country. Based here were
the famed “Buffalo Soldiers” who defended the
frontier of Texas. Just below the fort, on the banks of the
mighty Brazos River, stood “The Flats”. This was
the town that grew up under the protection of the fort. The
buffalo hide trade brought many colorful characters to this
rough village. Doc Holiday lived and gambled here before heading
west. John Selman, the man who shot John Wesley Hardin, ranched
here before being chased out of town for some shady dealings.
On the way back to Casa de Carmen stop by
Lynch Line books and read more about the
colorful history of the area.
 If
the fine arts are your cup of tea walk a few blocks to The
Old Jail Art Center (right). This is truly one
of the most unique art museums you will ever find. The permanent
collection is filled with original paintings from some of
the worlds masters as well as artwork from The Fort Worth
Circle; a gifted group of modernist artists based in Fort
Worth in the mid 20th century. Another work of art is the
circa 1880 Shackelford County Courthouse.
During normal business hours stop in and look at how well
this statement to democracy and justice has been carefully
restored. Then walk around the grounds and read the many
historical markers and let your mind wonder back to those
times as the courthouse clock chimes the hour.
At the end of the day The Icehouse,
right across the street from the courthouse and art center,
might be the place for a good meal in a casual setting.
Or walk out the front door of Casa de Carmen,
head 286 steps to the south and stroll in to The
Old Fort Griffin Steakhouse for steak you won’t
forget. After that walk next door to The Beehive
Saloon for a livelier atmosphere. No designated
driver needed here!
Please come.
We’d love to have you.
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