Whitaker House - Texarkana, TX
N 33° 25.265 W 094° 03.418
15S E 401731 N 3698469
The Whitaker House is located at 517 Whitaker St, Texarkana, TX. It is vacant, showing serious wear and tear, but is still a beautiful Victorian home. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Waymark Code: WMQNWC
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/09/2016
Views: 3
This house is also a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and in 1973, a Texas Historical Marker in the form of a medallion and plate were placed here. Unfortunately, only the medallion remains, attached crudely to a post in the front yard. According to the Texas Historic Sites Atlas, the plate said: (
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Built before 1891 by Benjamin F. Whitaker (1845-1916), member of Texas Senate (1893-97), partner of his brother in lumber business and a railroad that became part of Kansas City Southern line. He handpicked materials for this residence for his own family. Ex-sheriff Bryant Hargett and family were living here by 1904 when a "souvenir" book featured the house as a Texarkana showplace. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Perkins now own and preserve the property.
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The USGenWeb Archives Project (see Secondary Website 1) has a short biography about Mr. Whitaker, with some details about the house and those who lived here:
The Whitaker-House is an excellent example of late Victorian architecture and was built by Benjamin F. Whitaker prior to 1890. Whitaker was also a prominent figure in the commercial growth of Texarkana and took an active part in state politics. The home has been known as a local showplace from as early as 1904.
Benjamin Whitaker, was born in Bowie Co., Texas and moved from his family plantation to Texarkana in 1877. The house was probably begun shortly after his arrival; however, loss of court records make confirmation impossible. Here he entered the lumber business with his brother, W.L. Whitaker. These two brothers invested their money to build the first two bridges across the Red River to facilitate a railroad. The bridges became part of the Kansas City Southern Line, which was one of the greatest commercial arteries of business to come to Texarkana. Benjamin Whitaker also served in the Texas Legislature in 1893 under Gov. James S. Hogg and again in 1895 under Gov. C.A. Culberson.
Originally the property had servants' quarters just to the northwest, two carriage houses, corn cribs, and horse stalls, but all have been torn down. Vegetable gardens, an orchard and lots for cows were also of the property. The original iron fence still remains along Whitaker Street.
By 1904 Bryant Hargett, Sheriff of Bowie Co., lived in the house. During this time a "souvenir" book featured the Whitaker House as the showplace of Texarkana. The house remains as a residence.