Joe and Annie Lucas House
Orange, Orange County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Prominent local jeweler Joe Lucas (1865-1944) and his wife Annie (1879-1978) built this home in 1907 as a modest 2-story vernacular structure. As a result of business success they improved their home by adding a Queen Anne style wraparound gallery and gazebo-like corner in 1918. Prominent features include paired Corinthian columns, arched windows, and a 2-bay porch on the second level. The house remained in the Lucas family until 1965. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Prominent Orange jeweler Joe Lucas and his wife Annie built this two-story vernacular home in 1907, then enriched it in 1918 with a Queen Anne wraparound gallery, paired Corinthian columns, arched windows, and a gazebo-like corner as their business prospered. The house stayed in the Lucas family until 1965 and was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1992.
Why it matters
The evolving house mirrors the rising fortunes of a small-city merchant during the East Texas boom years of the early twentieth century.
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Related people
- ยท Joe Lucas
- ยท Annie Lucas
Themes & tags
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