Doom, Col. Randolph C., House

The Col. Randolph C. Doom House was built ca. 1856 for a prominent pioneer East Texas customs agent. The house is presently located on a tract of land near the Bevelport Community. Not only is the residence significant for its connection with the history of a prominent Texas settler, but it is also noteworthy as an early example of the Greek Revival style. Another interesting facet of the history of the house is its association with prominent political figures in recent years. U.S. Representative Jack Brooks, the current owner of the property, has entertained both Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson in his home in 1960 and 1963, respectively.

Randolph C. Doom was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on January 7, 1811. He came to Texas on May 18, 1836, as a volunteer in Captain Henry Huble's company in the revolution against Mexico. After serving under Colonel George W. Poe in the paymaster department, R. C. Doom was appointed collector of customs for the district of Sabine on May 19, 1837. It was during this time that an island in Sabine Lake between Port Arthur and Orange was named in honor of Doom. Doom's Island intercepted traffic from the river into the lake and was an important collection point. Other distinguished credits afforded Doom were his election to the Eighth Congress of Texas and his tour of office in the House of Representatives during the Fourth, Seventh, and Eleventh Legislatures. He died on December 5, 1881.

The house built for the Doom family was constructed during Col. Doom's career as a state legislator. The Greek Revival style being the fashion of the 1850s in Texas, Doom's house represents an interesting vernacular adaptation of the style. Unusual features of the house include a long, gently sloping, gabled roof that extends over the one-story veranda and the absence of dormer windows in the roof. However, features such as front rooms opening directly onto the veranda and wide central halls are typical of houses built in humid Southern climates during the mid-19th century.

Colonel Doom's house remained in the family through the 1920s when the last descendant to live there, R. V. Shelby, sold it to Mr. Ed Linn of Port Arthur. Mr. Linn maintained the original property as a country residence until 1959 when it was sold to U. S. Representative Jack Brooks of Beaumont. Representative Brooks moved the house to his property approximately one-half mile north of the original site and has maintained the premises for weekend retreats.

The late House Speaker Sam Rayburn was entertained in the house during a fishing expedition on the Angelina River in October 1960. On the Sunday afternoon of his visit, Speaker Rayburn was honored with an open house reception. Similarly, Representative Brooks entertained Lyndon Johnson at the House in September 1963. Johnson, then Vice-President, delivered a major speech from the front porch.