Hollywood hits the Hill Country

BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) - The Old Blanco County Courthouse sits in the center of Blanco's town square almost waiting for fulfillment.

"We wished we were knowledgeable enough to know how to go about attracting Hollywood, but they found us,” explained Rebecca Doll, the courthouse’s manager.

Doll said she sees some traffic in the storied structure during her days, but this spring movie makers will make this place their own. The Coen brothers' re-make of the 1969 film “ True Grit” is coming to town. The original earned John Wayne an Oscar. Now, Blanco hopes to garner its own prize.

"I expect that film crews are going to need lodging and meals,” said resident Chris Christian.

Having the old courthouse for the movie's courtroom scenes could bring tourists to this town of 9,000.

“I love that movie,” laughed Jane Lightfoot, another resident. “We were acting like John Wayne this morning in the office."

Visitors aren't what they could have been, if Blanco had remained the county's center of government when the courthouse went up in 1885. But that only lasted for 4.5 years before nearby Johnson City decided it wanted to be the county seat and Blanco’s courthouse closed.

Now, except for a little bit of wear and tear and the fact that there's no furniture, the building is still in pretty good shape, especially considering it's 124 years old.

"It's been many things,” said Doll. “A bank, a school, a hospital. Over a thousand babies were born here. Many Blanco residents were born here."

That pride never fails, even when it comes to losing the courthouse all those years ago. But that loss actually brought Blanco some luck.

"Because it's not a functioning county seat,” said Doll, “it does not have court in session, so that makes it available for their movie. It also comes from the same time period, so I think it's a perfect storm."

When the Coens re-make the western classic, Doll hopes it boosts Blanco's economy and appeal... and maybe, in the process, even mend old wounds.

"The old courthouse becoming a popular tourist destination just might be the best medicine for any ill contention that might still be around after 120 years,” she said, smiling.

Plans are currently in the works, with shooting tentatively scheduled to begin in Blanco sometime in April or May.