Senator James H. Woods Home
Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built 1900 of long leaf pine lumber. Entry paneled in beveled, leaded plate glass. Children had skating rink and gym in attic. Occupied by Senator Woods and family, 1900-1931; by son, 1931-1939. Senator Woods (1858-1931) came to Corsicana from Tennessee, 1873. Became a lawyer; served as city councilman, mayor, commissioner of fire department, director of public library, school trustee. Was State Representative, 1911 to 1919; State Senator, 1919-1923. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967 Restored by Mr. and Mrs. Allen Edens, Jr., 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1900 of longleaf pine, with leaded plate-glass entry panels and a children's skating rink in the attic, this was the home of James H. Woods, who arrived in Corsicana from Tennessee as a teenager in 1873. He became a lawyer and a fixture of civic life — councilman, mayor, fire commissioner, library director, school trustee — before serving in the Texas House and Senate. His family occupied the house for nearly four decades.
Why it matters
The home preserves the world of a small-city public servant during the Progressive era, when local leaders built the schools, libraries, and services of a maturing Texas.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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