Sidbury-Savage House
Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Edward D. Sidbury (1838-1881), a native of North Carolina, migrated to Corpus Christi in 1867. Soon after his arrival, he opened a lumber business. He later built a commercial wharf at the end of coopers alley, served by a line of the Texas-Mexican railroad. Sidbury constructed this greek revival residence prior to 1875, when he married Charlotte (Cook) Scott (1830-1904), the widow of rancher John Wesley Scott (d. 1867). It was originally located on north Carancahua Street in the bluff addition to the city. Charlotte continued to live in the house following Sidbury's death in 1881. She took over management of the family lumber company and later became a prominent business and civic leader of Corpus Christi. In 1904 the home was inherited by her grandson Rayburn Savage. He lived in the residence with his family until his death in 1941. Five years later his wife Alice (Ricklefsen) (d. 1949) had it moved to this location, part of the old irishtown neighborhood. The property was the site of her parents' house, which was destroyed by the 1919 hurricane. Additions and interior alterations to the home were made by later owners in order to provide a larger living area.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
North Carolina native Edward D. Sidbury came to Corpus Christi in 1867 and built a lumber business and commercial wharf served by the Texas-Mexican Railroad. He raised this Greek Revival home before his 1875 marriage to Charlotte Cook Scott. After Sidbury's death, Charlotte took over the family lumber company and became a leading Corpus Christi business and civic figure; the house later passed to descendants and was moved in 1946 to the old Irishtown neighborhood.
Why it matters
The home traces the rise of a Gulf Coast port town — and the story of a widow who ran a major lumber enterprise and led her community, a striking example of women in 19th-century business.
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Related people
- · Edward D. Sidbury
- · Charlotte Cook Scott Sidbury
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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