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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Patriotic music is sung under the Young County Courthouse gazebo during the Celebrate Freedom event Saturday, June 29. The gazebo was recently closed due to safety concerns.
The Young County Commissioners Court closed the courthouse gazebo, removed the supports and lowered the roof due to safety concerns as they look to restore the structure.
Commissioners spoke about the state of the gazebo during their meeting Monday, March 24. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jimmy Wiley said a wind storm prior to the one that occurred Friday, March 14, damaged the support beams for the gazebo.
“There are at least four of the wood posts on there that are twisted and (broken) and I’ve got two construction companies looking at it to see what it is going to take to fix it,” he said. “But our problem and what my worry is right now… (is) if somebody was up there and the wind was blowing and the (top) came down, they wouldn’t survive with as heavy as that roof is.”
The commissioners approved taking the supports of the gazebo out and lowering the roof to the base until they can establish a plan to repair the structure.
The You Lead class donated $2,600 in 2023 to cover the cost of repairs to the gazebo to replace the aged wooden handrails, steps, benches and trim underneath the structure. The gazebo also received a new coat of paint as a part of the project.
The gazebo has been used for a number of events in Graham such as the Fourth of July veterans honors program, musical performances for various local events and for seating at many events downtown.
