TYLER, Texas — Downtown Tyler is changing, and for Tyler resident Jimmy Ramsey, documenting that transformation has become an almost daily ritual rooted in childhood memories and a love of local history.

As county leaders celebrated the topping-out of the new Smith County Courthouse on Wednesday morning, Ramsey stood among the crowd, phone in hand, capturing a moment he’s been following for more than a year.

“I think this is history in the making,” Ramsey said.

More than 150 people attended the ceremony, which marked the placement of the final steel beam at the highest point of the eight-story courthouse structure. Before the beam was hoisted into place, people had the chance signed their names across the beam. An American flag, Texas flag and small tree were fixed to the top — a

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