Williams-Erwin House
412 W. Marvin St., Waxahachie, TXReflecting the affluence attained by cotton merchants of Waxahachie in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the Williams-Erwin is an outstanding Victorian residence constructed in the city's first addition to the original town site. The house was built in 1893 for Ed Williams, a prosperous local entrepreneur and later served as the home for R. K. Erwin, another prominent Waxahachie cotton businessman. Despite encroachment by later residential development, the house has remained virtually unaltered since its completion.
During the late 19th Century, Waxahachie served as the most important cotton center in Texas. Ed Williams' house typifies one of the most opulent homes constructed during this period and was located within Waxahachie's first addition. Developed by Ed Williams' father, the new subdivision carried his name, and several members of the Williams family built homes there. The Williams-Erwin house is one of only two of these family residences still standing.
In February 1893 Williams hired three local construction firms to build his house, and by August of that year, the contractors, Buell and Connelley, H. D. Timmons, and C. J. Griggs completed the building. As the house was being built, the local newspaper, The Enterprise, reported the progress of its construction.
Williams lived in the house for only a short while before selling it in 1902 to the wealthy R. K. Erwin. Well-known for his numerous parties, Erwin went to great expenses to ensure that his home would be a popular gathering place for the people of Waxahachie. He constructed a summerhouse (now razed) to serve as a dance hall for the countless parties held on the grounds; therefore, the Erwin residence became an important social center in the community. He owned the structure until his death in the early 1930s. After his death, his wife occupied the house for a short while before one of her sons, Frank, obtained possession of the house. He and his wife owned the house until 1945 when they moved to Dallas.
Since then, the house has changed hands numerous times; however, the present owners, Dr. and Ms. Redington have restored the house to its original appearance.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.