Gilbert House
Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Dr. Samuel H. Gilbert (1828 - 1890) came to Texas about 1850. He settled first in Cass County, and in 1852 married Julia Ann Ritchie (d. 1881) Gilbert purchased 275 acres of land at this site about 1855 and by 1857 had this native limestone house constructed. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Gilbert operated a farm here, growing vegetable crops and raising livestock. A respected community leader, he helped outfit a local militia unit during the Civil War and in later years held a number of local public offices. In 1874 Dr. Gilbert was instrumental in bringing rail service to the Farmers Branch community when he sold part of his property to the Dallas & Wichita Railroad for a right-of-way through the area. The parents of two daughters, the Gilberts continued to reside in this house for the remainder of their lives. The house remained in the Gilbert family until 1937. A rare surviving example of an early Texas home, the Gilbert House exhibits a vernacular center-passage plan with modest Greek Revival influences. Prominent features of the structure include its double-door entry with transom; a full-width front porch with box columns and classical detailing; twin chimneys; and a large hipped roof. RTHL - 1990
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dr. Samuel H. Gilbert reached Texas about 1850 and by 1857 had built this native-limestone house on 275 acres, combining a medical practice with farming and livestock. A community leader, he helped outfit a local militia unit during the Civil War and later drew the railroad through Farmers Branch by selling land to the Dallas & Wichita line in 1874. The vernacular center-passage house, with Greek Revival touches and twin chimneys, is a rare survivor of early Texas homebuilding.
Why it matters
Gilbert's story ties together medicine, the Civil War home front, and the railroad boom that decided which Texas towns would live or die.
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Related people
- · Samuel H. Gilbert
- · Julia Ann Ritchie
Themes & tags
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