The Sturgis House
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built 1887 by James N. Harris in a refined Victorian style. Bricks handmade from Brazos River sand are used throughout entire structure and servant's quarters. Walls are 13-inch, solid, with interior plaster directly applied. Roof is the original. Bought 1912 by Mr. and Mrs. James H. Sturgis, whose children James, Jr., Carroll W., and Anna Elizabeth were brought up here. Structure is now preserved by Mr. and Mrs. Carroll W. Sturgis.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
James N. Harris built this refined Victorian residence in 1887, using bricks handmade from Brazos River sand throughout the house and even the servants' quarters. Its thirteen-inch solid walls carry plaster applied directly to the brick, and the roof remains original. In 1912 the Sturgis family bought the home and raised their children here, and their descendants have preserved it.
Why it matters
The house is a testament to the local craftsmanship and Gilded Age prosperity of the Brazos River town of Waco, built from the very sand of the river that made the region grow.
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Related people
- · James N. Harris
- · Carroll W. Sturgis
Themes & tags
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