MASON COUNTY, Texas — Last week, more than 750 people gathered in Mason County to celebrate a historic new beginning.
On July 13, the county's courthouse was restored and reopened to the public more than three years after it was burned by arson.
"In 2021, tragedy struck this cornerstone of Mason County," Texas Historical Commission Secretary Commissioner Garrett Donnelly said at the event. "Watching as it was engulfed in flames was a shocking blow."
Donnelly attended the reopening along with former Judge Jerry Bearden, who was the head official at the time of the fire.
Others included current Judge Sheree Hardin, Mason County historian Scott Zesch, Mason County Historical Commission chair Curtis Donaldson and more.
Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn also sent letters to the county, which were read aloud during the rededication ceremony.
This update was made possible with the help of the Texas General Revenue Fund, which allocated approximately $6 million for the rebuilding. A Courthouse Restoration Grant also helped go towards the upgrades, as well as a GoFundMe page.
The 2021 Mason County Courthouse fire
On Feb. 4, 2021, "multiple structure fires" were reported in Mason County, including at the historic 111-year-old courthouse.
While no one was injured in the fire, most of the building's interior was completely destroyed, causing approximately $20 million in total damages.
Just a few days later, 45-year-old Nicholas Miller was arrested and charged with purposefully starting the fire.
This February, Miller was convicted on five charges and sentenced to 75 years in prison for each arson charge, plus additional charges for unlawful firearm possession and burglary.
Now three and a half years later, the courthouse is starting anew.