HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Rayzor-Graham House

Denton, Denton County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Business and civic leader J. Fred Rayzor (1890-1965) had this home constructed in 1912 by local builder M. T. Goodwin. It was purchased in 1941 by W. E. Graham (1890-1963) and remained in his family until 1974. Features of the one-story American foursquare home include bungalow details in the door, columns, and windows. Also of note are the central entry in the deep attached porch, a hipped dormer, and washboard siding. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1989

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Business and civic leader J. Fred Rayzor had this one-story American foursquare home built in Denton in 1912 by local builder M. T. Goodwin. It passed in 1941 to the family of W. E. Graham, who kept it until 1974. With its deep attached porch, central entry, hipped dormer, and bungalow-style detailing, the house is a well-preserved example of early-twentieth-century domestic architecture.

Why it matters

The home reflects the comfortable middle-class life of a growing North Texas town in the early twentieth century and the enduring popularity of the foursquare and bungalow styles across small-town America.

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Related people

  • · J. Fred Rayzor
  • · W. E. Graham
  • · M. T. Goodwin

Themes & tags

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