HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Donigan House

Brookshire, Waller County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A native of Turkey, Paul M. Donigan (1862-1930) came to the United States about 1890 to attend medical school. The presence of relatives in this area brought him to Brookshire upon graduation. In 1910, Dr. Donigan built this home for his wife, Rebecca (1863-1954). The main floor was on the second level, while the lower floor served as a cellar and Donigan's medical office. The pyramidal roof house features a wraparound porch with Neoclassical influences. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1985

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Paul M. Donigan, a native of Turkey, came to the United States around 1890 to study medicine and settled in Brookshire, drawn by relatives already in the area. In 1910 he built this home for his wife Rebecca, placing the main living floor on the upper level and using the ground floor as a cellar and his medical office. The pyramidal-roofed house, wrapped in a Neoclassical porch, was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1985.

Why it matters

An immigrant doctor's home reminds us that even small Texas farm towns were shaped by newcomers from across the world who brought their skills and settled into local life.

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Related people

  • · Paul M. Donigan
  • · Rebecca Donigan

Themes & tags

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