Details for James Waller Thomas House

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5507016788

Data

Marker Number 16788
Atlas Number 5507016788
Marker Title James Waller Thomas House
Index Entry Thomas, James Waller, House
Address 206 S. Benge Street
City McKinney
County Collin
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 722050
UTM Northing 3675492
Subject Codes houses, residential buildings
Marker Year 2011
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Yes
Marker Location 206 S. Benge Street
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 18" x 28"
Marker Text THIS VERNACULAR STYLE HOUSE WAS BUILT c. 1868 BY JAMES WALLER THOMAS, AN EARLY CIVIC LEADER IN COLLIN COUNTY, FOR HIS FAMILY OF 13. ORIGINALLY A ONE-ROOM RESIDENCE, THE HOUSE HAS NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY MODIFIED SINCE 1902. IT REFLECTS THE MODEST HOMES BUILT BY EARLY SETTLERS OF NORTH TEXAS WITH MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF RAIL SERVICE. ORIGINAL ELEMENTS INCLUDE THE FLOORING, BRICK CHIMNEY, AND ROUGH-HEWN TIMBER FOUNDATION AND ROOF DECKING. THIS IS ALSO THE SITE OF AN ATTEMPT ON THOMAS’ LIFE BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON, LIKELY DUE TO HIS ROLE AS EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE COUNTY’S FIRST NEWSPAPER WHEREIN HE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE UNION AND THE RIGHTS OF BLACK SETTLERS – OPINIONS UNPOPULAR WITH SOME DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK – 2011

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