TIL the old elevator in the courthouse in Abilene still has a hand crank and the operator knows everyone's business

Taylor Thomas · 2026-10-30T20:50:02.865905+00:00

I had jury duty last Tuesday in Abilene and the only way up to the third floor is this tiny elevator from like 1928. The operator, a guy named Ray, runs it by hand and announces each floor like a tour guide. He pointed out which offices had coffee, who was retiring, and where to sit so the AC hits you. It got me wondering what other small town buildings are still running on one person's memory. Anyone else got a place like this near them?

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TIL the old elevator in the courthouse in Abilene still has a hand crank and the operator knows everyone's business | Ask Anything - Babble Community