Percy Herman House
McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This house was built in 1933 for Percy Herman (1884-1967), a major influence in the development of McAllen. Herman was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in 1910, he married Stella H. Lazarus. Herman soon moved his family to Texas where he opened stores across various South Texas towns. He and his family finally settled in McAllen, opening the valley mercantile store in 1916. The Hermans became widely successful and were considered one of the first Jewish families in McAllen. Percy Herman hired Edwin W. Byers (1896-1957), who had designed buildings across the country, to design this home. Its Spanish eclectic style with an asymmetrical floor plan features two facades on a corner lot, a stucco exterior and clay roof tiles. Wrought-iron fixtures and cast concrete decorative elements add to the home’s design and style.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1933 for merchant Percy Herman, one of McAllen's most influential early businessmen, this Spanish Eclectic home reflects both his success and the growing Jewish community of South Texas. Born in Iowa, Herman opened stores across the region before settling in McAllen in 1916 to run the Valley Mercantile store. He hired well-traveled architect Edwin W. Byers to design the house, whose stucco walls, clay-tile roof, and wrought-iron details grace a prominent corner lot.
Why it matters
The Herman house honors one of McAllen's first Jewish families and the merchants whose stores helped build the commercial life of the booming Rio Grande Valley.
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Related people
- · Percy Herman
- · Stella Lazarus Herman
- · Edwin W. Byers
Themes & tags
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