Today we went on a Christmas tour of historic homes in Alpine. This home was designed and built around 1902 by well known pioneer architect and building contractor, William Daugherty. The interior of the home has the feel of solid construction, and a designer that was ahead of his times. Although it has a warm classic feel, there are many features in the interior architecture that seem modern. Mr. Daugherty designed and built many of the finest homes, businesses and churches in Alpine.
The interior of this stucco home was our favorite! The furnishings are very eclectic! Everything about this home had a fascinating quality. Super kudos to the owners on their decorating skills! An article in the October 14, 1927 edition of the Alpine Avalanche announced in regards to this home that "one of the most modern and complete homes in Alpine" was be be built for Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Coleman. Mr. Coleman was the first graduate of Sul Ross University.
William Daugherty designed and built this home in 1908 for Mr. and Mrs. William Townsend, parents of noted Brewster County lawman and legislator, E.E. Townsend. The home was later sold to A.H. Parmer. Mr. Parmer's first wife and the mother of his children, was Susan Lavenia James, younger sister of the outlaws Frank and Jesse James. The home is now owned by a couple from out of the area, who use it as a place to stay while in Alpine. The home is very sparsely furnished. Note the large windows and two front doors. The front doors seemed of larger dimensions than usual and opened into two large rooms at the front of the house. Large windows were prevalent throughout the house. Even the rooms were expansive in floor space and high ceilings. It gave the feeling that the expansive rooms would be wonderfully cool on a hot day, with all those large doors and windows circulating a breeze. The house is reported to be a hybrid of Greek Revival and Victorian Styles. I loved this home for its openness and aire of yesteryears!
This home had a present day artistic feel. It was built around 1901. It has a Gambrel barnstyle roofline, popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rooms are very small, and it has a steep narrow stairway to the upstairs bedrooms. This home in present times seemed comfortable for at most two people. There was a large church and one more home on the tour that didn't lend themselves to pictures. Roy and I found it interesting that while we could appreciate every aspect of the homes on the tour, that neither of us felt any longing for home ownership. That bodes well to the longevity of our gypsy life!
