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Howell House

McKinney, Collin County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Occupied by four generations of the same family, this structure stands on property granted in 1845 to Edward Bradley (1787-1855), a member of the Peters Colony. His daughter Mary Ann (1820-1878) inherited the land. Her husband, merchant Daniel Howell (1821-1878), built the first portion of this residence in 1861-62. Much of the cypress lumber was hauled by wagon from Jefferson. Over the years, additions and remodeling have enlarged the historic house. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

The Howell House stands on land granted in 1845 to Edward Bradley, a member of the Peters Colony that drew settlers into North Texas. His daughter Mary Ann inherited the property, and her husband, merchant Daniel Howell, built the first part of this home in 1861-62 — much of its cypress lumber hauled by wagon all the way from Jefferson. Four generations of the family occupied and enlarged the house over the years.

Why it matters

Homes like this document the Peters Colony settlement of North Texas and the sheer labor — cypress hauled a hundred miles by wagon — of building permanence on the frontier.

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Related people

  • · Edward Bradley
  • · Daniel Howell
  • · Mary Ann Bradley Howell

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionFrontier HistoryHome

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