butchlambert
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Wyman lived for about 25 years in the Benjamin, Tx jail.
Wyman's note about it:
Was testing one of my drones a couple of days ago in the last light of evening. While passing over our old jail, I paused long enough to grab this image. Every time I view it the memories of construction efforts endured in the creation of this very physical task comes to mind.
Finally completed in 1997, I did make some additions later when HG TV asked to feature the tired old structure in the early 2000’s.
How many trips taken into the hills west of Benjamin to gather the rocks I cannot say, but it seemed to have no end. Some of the larger stones I took time to weigh on cattle scales with the largest being 1,400 lbs and many in the 500 to 1,000 lb range.
With a Skid Steer, pry bars, chains and dynamite, the rocks were dislodged, loaded, trailered in and placed. Then leveling and finally mortar and cement mixed to pour between stones with a one gallon bucket. I figured it took some 14 yards of mortar/cement filling to complete the job, and almost all hand mixed with a garden hoe in a wheel barrow.
In viewing the patio now I just shake my head in dismay. Never again…I am done!
Wishing all a productive and safe week
Wyman's note about it:
Was testing one of my drones a couple of days ago in the last light of evening. While passing over our old jail, I paused long enough to grab this image. Every time I view it the memories of construction efforts endured in the creation of this very physical task comes to mind.
Finally completed in 1997, I did make some additions later when HG TV asked to feature the tired old structure in the early 2000’s.
How many trips taken into the hills west of Benjamin to gather the rocks I cannot say, but it seemed to have no end. Some of the larger stones I took time to weigh on cattle scales with the largest being 1,400 lbs and many in the 500 to 1,000 lb range.
With a Skid Steer, pry bars, chains and dynamite, the rocks were dislodged, loaded, trailered in and placed. Then leveling and finally mortar and cement mixed to pour between stones with a one gallon bucket. I figured it took some 14 yards of mortar/cement filling to complete the job, and almost all hand mixed with a garden hoe in a wheel barrow.
In viewing the patio now I just shake my head in dismay. Never again…I am done!
Wishing all a productive and safe week
