HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Underwood and Clara Nazro House

Houston, Harris County, Texas

Marker Inscription

THIS HOUSE, THE ONLY ONE OF GEORGIAN REVIVAL STYLE IN COURTLANDT PLACE, IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY RESIDENTIAL WORK OF FORT WORTH FIRM SANGUINET AND STAATS. THE RED BRICK VENEERED HOUSE FEATURES A FRONT ENTRY PORTICO WITH FULL ENTABLATURE SUPPORTED BY SLENDER COLUMNS WITH COMPOSITE CAPITALS. UNDERWOOD NAZRO, HIS WIFE CLARA, AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN LIVED HERE FROM 1916-28. NAZRO WAS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE GULF OIL COMPANY AND ALSO DID BUSINESS IN FINANCE AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. BANKER IKE McFARLAND AND HIS WIFE, PRESERVATIONIST MAE WYNN McFARLAND, LIVED HERE FROM 1940-69.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

This Georgian Revival house — the only one of its style in Houston's Courtlandt Place — was designed by the noted Fort Worth firm Sanguinet and Staats in the early 20th century. Gulf Oil vice-president Underwood Nazro and his family lived here from 1916 to 1928, followed by banker Ike McFarland and his wife, the preservationist Mae Wynn McFarland.

Why it matters

It reflects the oil-boom prosperity that built Houston's elite residential enclaves and later became a cause for the preservationists who saved them.

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Related people

  • · Underwood Nazro
  • · Clara Nazro
  • · Mae Wynn McFarland

Themes & tags

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