Holman House
Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Spanish-American war veteran and Matagorda county judge (1908-1914) William Shields Holman and his wife Louise (Kaulbach) built this house in 1908-09. Designed by A.W. Large and constructed by contractor H. Speckles, the house is an excellent example of queen anne styling. It features asymmetrical composition, an elaborate roofscape, corner tower, wraparound porch, and varying textures on its wall surfaces. It remained in the Holman family until 1978. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1994
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
William Shields Holman, a Spanish-American War veteran who served as Matagorda County judge, built this showpiece home with his wife Louise just as Bay City was coming into its own. Completed in 1909, it is a textbook example of Queen Anne styling, with an asymmetrical silhouette, a corner tower, a wraparound porch, and richly varied wall textures. The Holman family held onto it for seven decades.
Why it matters
Homes like this one map the ambitions of small-town Texas leaders in the early 20th century, when architectural flourish signaled a community's confidence in its future.
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Related people
- · William Shields Holman
- · Louise Kaulbach Holman
Themes & tags
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