John S. and Rachel W. Heard House
McKinney, Collin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Arkansas native and Confederate soldier John Spenser Heard (1841-1933) joined his family here in McKinney about 1865. He married Rachel Wilson in 1884. Business success allowed the Heards to benefit numerous local causes and to build this home in 1921. Designed by the Dallas firm Ye Planery in the classical revival style, the house features colossal corinthian columns, giant entablature and a dentiled pediment. It remained in the Heard family until 1987. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1993
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
John Spenser Heard, an Arkansas native and Confederate veteran, joined his family in McKinney about 1865 and married Rachel Wilson in 1884. Business success let the couple support many local causes and, in 1921, build this grand classical revival home designed by the Dallas firm Ye Planery, with towering Corinthian columns and a dentiled pediment. The house remained in the Heard family until 1987.
Why it matters
The mansion reflects the wealth and civic ambition of North Texas families whose lives bridged the Civil War generation and the modern era.
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Related people
- · John Spenser Heard
- · Rachel Wilson Heard
Themes & tags
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