Francis-Ainsworth House
Luling, Caldwell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Doctor Sidney Joseph Francis (1867-1935) settled in Luling in 1889 after earning a medical degree from Tulane University. He purchased this site which included four town lots in October 1895. One month later he married Annie Davis Gregg, granddaughter of Bishop alexander Gregg, the first Episcopal bishop in Texas. A modest frame house was constructed for Dr. and Mrs. Francis on this corner by 1896; it was enlarged in 1916 by contractor J. W. Bishop into a two-story dwelling. The home features a full-length two-story porch, a porte cochere, and a central projecting bay with an offset entry. The vernacular house was typical of those in railroad towns. Dr. Francis was a World War I veteran, a prominent local businessman and a banker. Prior to Francis' death in 1935, his youngest daughter and her husband, H. Miller Ainsworth, moved into the house. ainsworth served in World Wars I and II, and rose to the rank of General in the National Guard. He was active in the oil, gas and banking industries in Luling. After his death in 1969, his widow and son lived in the house until her death in 1986. The house remained in the Ainsworth family until 1989 when it was deeded to the city of Luling. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1996 Incise on base: Given by Cornelius Smith Chapter, DRT, Custodian since 1993
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Tulane-trained Dr. Sidney Joseph Francis settled in the railroad town of Luling in 1889 and built this corner home by 1896, enlarging it into a two-story dwelling with a full-length porch and porte cochere in 1916. A physician, businessman, and World War I veteran, Francis saw the house pass to his daughter and her husband, H. Miller Ainsworth, who served in both World Wars and rose to General in the National Guard. It remained in the family until deeded to the city in 1989.
Why it matters
The house preserves the layered story of a Texas railroad town's professional class, from a country doctor to a general, across two generations and two world wars.
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Related people
- · Sidney Joseph Francis
- · H. Miller Ainsworth
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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