Samuel E. and Mary C. Marshall House
Whitewright, Grayson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Civil War veteran Sam Marshall (1838-1911), his wife, Mary (1840-1924), and their family came from Kentucky to Grayson County in the late 1860s and moved to the new railroad town of Whitewright by 1880. After achieving success with their land investments and commercial businesses, the Marshalls built this Queen Anne Free Classic house in 1899-1900. The gabled roof, decorative woodwork, Classical columns, porch and balcony are all notable elements of this style. After Mary Marshall's death in 1924, the house subsequently was owned and occupied by the Carter, Sanders and Stuteville families. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Civil War veteran Sam Marshall and his wife Mary came from Kentucky to Grayson County in the late 1860s and moved to the new railroad town of Whitewright by 1880. Prospering in land and commerce, they built this Queen Anne Free Classic house in 1899โ1900, rich with a gabled roof, classical columns, decorative woodwork, and a balconied porch. After Mary's death in 1924 it passed through several local families.
Why it matters
The house reflects the prosperity that railroad towns brought to North Texas and the ornate domestic architecture in which successful merchant families displayed it.
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Related people
- ยท Samuel E. Marshall
- ยท Mary C. Marshall
Themes & tags
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