For the last 20 years, the historic Lovett Building has housed the Justice of the Peace Pct. 2&4, Juvenile Probation, and the Gray County Constables. But that era has now come to an end and those three entities are saying their goodbyes to the place they’ve called home for two decades.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 2&4 Connie Ogle invites everyone to come celebrate the legacy and history of the Lovett Building, located at 1146 N. Hobart, on Thursday, September 6 from 2 PM to 4 PM, and for anyone to share stories they may have during its operation within its 65+ years. Entrance will be on the west side of the building facing Hobart Street.
Built in 1959 by Cantrell & Co. and W&W Construction Co. as a gift from the Fannie and H.B. Lovett Estate, the structure was originally a dorm for out-of-country nurses who were working for the Highland General Hospital. Interestingly, a nurse currently working at Pampa Regional Medical Center originally from Canada stayed at the Lovett Building in the exact room where Connie’s office is, highlighting the fascinating way in which paths can cross and the importance of preserving history through sharing stories and experiences.
When the hospital closed in 1981 after the construction of what is now Pampa Regional Medical Center, the Lovett building served as a clinic operated by Dr. Brown, then converting to its current offices in 2005.
The building itself has been in disarray for quite some time and due to the extensive and expensive repairs it would require to stay in operation and safely house its current employees, the county decided to localize the offices in the downtown area closer to the courthouse, sheriff’s office and police department.
“They are moving the constables to the sheriff’s office, juvenile probation to the old Winegeart Funeral Home across the street from the courthouse, and they’re moving me and my clerks to the first floor of the courthouse across from the tax and tag office,” Connie said.
Once all offices have been moved, the Lovett Building will go up for sale, and according to talks within prior County Commission meetings, there have been a couple of parties interested in buying.
There is a shared sentimentality for the building between its current employees, and they know that once it’s sold, whatever happens to it is out of their hands. They can only hope that the history is preserved and the plaque that is currently hanging in the front entrance is taken care of and respected.
“To me, the plaque needs to go to the museum if the building needs to be torn down,” she said. “Or if whoever purchases it, recognizes the significance and keeps it.”
Although there is a bit of excitement about the new move, as with most things, the goodbye is bittersweet.
“I understand that progress is sometimes having to destroy to move on, but it doesn’t make it any less sad. The respect of what this building has had is just amazing to me. The fact there’s no hot water, the carpets need to be ripped up, the walls need to be fixed, and the roof rains dirt when the wind blows, it’s still the only home I know for this position I have.”
Connie invites anyone who has any stories or memories to share about the Lovett Building to come out on Thursday, celebrate, and help keep its legacy alive.
