Ende-Gaillard House
Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Ende-Gaillard House German native Charles Frederick von Ende (b. 1832) came to Greenville in 1857 and established a mercantile business on the town square. He became one of the community's most active civic leaders, serving on the school board and city council, and helping to establish the local Odd Fellows lodge. In 1857-1859, Ende built this home for his bride, Amelia Reinecker. Their daughter, Louise, and her husband, Dr. David l. Gaillard, bought the home in 1883. After Louise's death in 1945, the house became part of a lumberyard and was threatened with demolition. Originally located just north of the courthouse square, the Ende-Gaillard House was moved to a city park in 1957 and then to the American Cotton Museum in 1996. (2002)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
German-born Charles Frederick von Ende arrived in Greenville in 1857, opened a mercantile business on the town square, and became one of the community's busiest civic leaders, serving on the school board and city council. He built this house for his bride Amelia around 1857-1859; their daughter Louise and her husband, Dr. David L. Gaillard, later made it their home. Threatened with demolition after 1945, the house was rescued and moved twice, finding its present home at the American Cotton Museum in 1996.
Why it matters
The Ende-Gaillard House testifies both to the German immigrants who helped build 19th-century Texas towns and to the modern impulse to save such landmarks rather than lose them to the wrecking ball.
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Related people
- · Charles Frederick von Ende
- · Amelia Reinecker
- · Louise Gaillard
- · Dr. David L. Gaillard
Themes & tags
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