Historical Marker

Oxford House

Marker installed: 1994

Erath County native, attorney, judge, and civic leader W. J. Oxford (1861-1943) bought this property in 1879. In 1898-99 he had this house built with a $3,000 legal fee he earned in a major lawsuit. The Oxford House is an outstanding dramatic example of the late Queen Anne style and represents the only structure of its kind in Stephenville. It features a cypress wraparound porch, second level balcony, ornately detailed woodwork, character-defining cupola, and a copper eagle weather vane. After the 1920s the house was used as a boardinghouse, a bank, and as a private residence. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1994.