Burges House
El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Prominent El Paso attorney Richard Fenner Burges (1873-1945) had this house built in 1912 by local contractor J. E. Morgan. It was altered in 1927 according to plans of architect Otto H. Thorman, resulting in its current appearance featuring classical design elements, including a portico with fluted columns. Burges, whose wife, Ethel Petrie Shelton, died during the home's construction, was an active civic leader, serving as city attorney and member of the State legislature. The house was inherited by his daughter and remained in the family until 1986. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1993
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1912 for prominent attorney Richard Fenner Burges, this El Paso house took its present classical look — a portico of fluted columns — in a 1927 remodeling by architect Otto Thorman. Burges lost his wife, Ethel, during the home's original construction, then went on to serve as city attorney and state legislator while raising his family here. The house stayed in the Burges family until 1986.
Why it matters
It preserves the home of a civic leader whose work helped shape early-twentieth-century El Paso and Texas government.
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Related people
- · Richard Fenner Burges
- · Ethel Petrie Shelton
- · Otto H. Thorman
Themes & tags
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