Cook Home
Beeville, Bee County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built by John Cook, who was born 1846 in Texas-bound wagon train; at 17 was in Civil War; in 1866 married Frances Miller. Lived in rock house, near this site. With son, R.J., contributed much to area cattle industry, with fine registered Herefords. House, erected 1897 of select long-leaf pine, placed to catch Gulf breezes. Each room opens on a porch. Has 4 fireplaces, with mantels of mahogany, maple, oak. Architecture is Victorian. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
John Cook, born in 1846 in a Texas-bound wagon train and a Civil War soldier at seventeen, married Frances Miller in 1866 and with his son helped build the South Texas cattle industry through fine registered Herefords. In 1897 he raised this Victorian house of select long-leaf pine, positioned to catch the Gulf breezes, with every room opening onto a porch and four fireplaces framed by mahogany, maple, and oak mantels.
Why it matters
From a wagon-train birth to a prosperous ranch house, Cook's life traces the arc of a pioneering family that helped make cattle the foundation of the South Texas economy.
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Related people
- · John Cook
- · Frances Miller Cook
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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