John L. Sheppard Home
Pittsburg, Camp County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Home of the Sheppard family from 1884, when the house was built, until 1891. During that time John L. Sheppard (1852-1902) served as district attorney and then judge for Fifth Judicial District. In 1899 he was elected to U. s. Congress and died in office. His son, Morris Sheppard (1875-1941), succeeded him in congress, then served with distinction in U. S. Senate from 1913-1951. House has eight fireplaces and secret passageway between floors. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1974
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This house sheltered the Sheppard family from 1884 to 1891, while John L. Sheppard rose from district attorney to district judge and then to the U.S. Congress, where he died in office in 1902. His son Morris Sheppard succeeded him and went on to a long, distinguished Senate career from 1913 to 1951, becoming a national figure in Progressive-era reform. The eight-fireplace home, complete with a secret passage between floors, is a landmark of a remarkable political dynasty.
Why it matters
The Sheppard home links a small Texas town to a father-and-son line of national lawmakers whose influence reached the heart of Progressive-era Washington.
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Related people
- · John L. Sheppard
- · Morris Sheppard
Themes & tags
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