W. T. Carter, Jr., House
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
W. T. CARTER, JR. HOUSE IN 1912, ARCHITECTS BIRDSALL BRISCOE AND OLLE LOREHN DESIGNED THIS HOME FOR W. T. CARTER, JR., (1887-1957) AND LILLIE AUGUSTE (NEUHAUS) CARTER (1890-1966). THE TWO-STORY PRAIRIE STYLE HOUSE HAS A HIPPED TERRA COTTA TILED ROOF WITH DORMERS, STUCCO VENEER, AND A WIDE FULL-WIDTH PORCH WHICH EXTENDS TO COVER A PORTE-COCHERE. A TWO-STORY GARAGE AND TWO CARRIAGE HITCHING POSTS AT THE FRONT CURB ARE ALSO HISTORIC. W. T., PROMINENT IN LUMBER AND REAL ESTATE, ALSO SERVED ON THE HOUSTON PORT COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL AND DEVELOPED HOUSTON’S FIRST PUBLIC AIRPORT (LATER WILLIAM P. HOBBY AIRPORT). THE CARTER FAMILY OWNED THE HOUSE UNTIL 1978. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK – 2011
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This 1912 Prairie-style home, designed by noted architects Birdsall Briscoe and Olle Lorehn, was built for lumber and real-estate magnate W. T. Carter, Jr., and his wife Lillie. Carter served on the Houston City Council and Port Commission and developed the city's first public airport, later William P. Hobby Airport; the family kept the house until 1978.
Why it matters
Carter helped build modern Houston — its lumber wealth, its port and its first airport — and his home reflects the confident architecture of an early-20th-century boomtown.
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Related people
- · W. T. Carter, Jr.
- · Birdsall Briscoe
- · Olle Lorehn
Themes & tags
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