Kurth, J. H., House
1860 Old Mill Rd., Lufkin, TXThis large and handsome hybrid Classical/Foursquare home was the most substantial and elaborate residence in the Keltys community. Currently has an RTHL awarded in 1966.
Residence of J. H. Kurth, one of the founders of the Angelina County Lumber Company. No early lumbering or manufacturing structures are extant at the mill. Joseph H. Kurth, a German immigrant from Polk County, moved to Angelina County in 1887. He and SW Henderson, Sr., acquired a sawmill founded by Charles L. Kelty ca. 1870, north of Lufkin. Kurth, had operated a smaller mill at Kurth Station near Corrigan, Polk Cty. Their business was known as Henderson & Kurth. By 1900 Sam Weiner and his brother, Eli Wiener, joined Henderson & Kurth, forming the Angelina County Lumber Company. During its heyday, the 3 families had nearly a dozen sawmills, a paper mill, hotels, movie theatres, railroads, investment companies, newspapers, radio and television, insurance firms, banks, foundries, hospitals, and other enterprises. In 1902 these partners with Frank Kavanaugh Sr., and Frank Kavanaugh, Jr., from Rusk, established the Lufkin Foundry and Machine Company to purchase, manufacture, repair, and sell machinery, the parent company of current day Lufkin Industries, Inc. ACLCo. was sold to Owens-Illinois in 1966. The area of significance is architecture at the local level.
Local significance of the building:
Residence of J. H. Kurth, one of the founders of the Angelina County Lumber Company. No early lumbering or manufacturing structures are extant at the mill. Joseph H. Kurth, a German immigrant from Polk County, moved to Angelina County in 1887. He and SW Henderson, Sr., acquired a sawmill founded by Charles L. Kelty ca. 1870, north of Lufkin. Kurth, had operated a smaller mill at Kurth Station near Corrigan, Polk Cty. Their business was known as Henderson & Kurth. By 1900 Sam Weiner and his brother, Eli Wiener, joined Henderson & Kurth, forming the Angelina County Lumber Company. During its heyday, the 3 families had nearly a dozen sawmills, a paper mill, hotels, movie theatres, railroads, investment companies, newspapers, radio and television, insurance firms, banks, foundries, hospitals, and other enterprises. In 1902 these partners with Frank Kavanaugh Sr., and Frank Kavanaugh, Jr., from Rusk, established the Lufkin Foundry and Machine Company to purchase, manufacture, repair, and sell machinery, the parent company of current day Lufkin Industries, Inc. ACLCo. was sold to Owens-Illinois in 1966. The area of significance is architecture at the local level.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
About National Register Listings
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.
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About Angelina County
Angelina County Timeline
Angelina County, located in the eastern part of Texas, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Atakapa tribes. The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century had a significant impact on the region, as they established missions and trading posts throughout East Texas.
In the 19th century, the area that is now Angelina County found itself in the middle of the conflict between Spanish Texas and the newly-formed Republic of Mexico. As Mexico gained independence from Spain, the region became a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. This tumultuous period culminated in the Texas Revolution, during which Texas gained its independence from Mexico, leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Angelina County was officially established in 1846, named after a Hainai Native American woman who had served as a guide and interpreter for Spanish and French expeditions in the area. The county experienced rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the timber industry. The area's vast pine forests attracted logging and sawmill operations, which led to the establishment of several towns and the creation of jobs.
Over the years, Angelina County has diversified its economy beyond timber. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought further economic growth and development to the region. Today, the county continues to thrive with a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture. The county is also home to various recreational areas, including Lake Sam Rayburn and the Angelina National Forest, which attract visitors from near and far. Angelina County's rich history and thriving present make it a vibrant and dynamic part of Texas.
In the 19th century, the area that is now Angelina County found itself in the middle of the conflict between Spanish Texas and the newly-formed Republic of Mexico. As Mexico gained independence from Spain, the region became a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. This tumultuous period culminated in the Texas Revolution, during which Texas gained its independence from Mexico, leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Angelina County was officially established in 1846, named after a Hainai Native American woman who had served as a guide and interpreter for Spanish and French expeditions in the area. The county experienced rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the timber industry. The area's vast pine forests attracted logging and sawmill operations, which led to the establishment of several towns and the creation of jobs.
Over the years, Angelina County has diversified its economy beyond timber. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought further economic growth and development to the region. Today, the county continues to thrive with a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture. The county is also home to various recreational areas, including Lake Sam Rayburn and the Angelina National Forest, which attract visitors from near and far. Angelina County's rich history and thriving present make it a vibrant and dynamic part of Texas.
Angelina County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Angelina County, Texas.
- 1805: The area that would become Angelina County is part of the disputed Neutral Ground between Spanish Texas and the United States.
- Early 19th Century: Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Cherokee, and Apache, populate the region.
- 1837: Angelina County is officially established from parts of Houston County and Nacogdoches County. It is named after a Delaware Indian girl, Angelina, who was married to a settler, who later became a local Native American agent.
- 1846: The first county seat, Marion, is established near the Neches River, but is later abandoned in favor of the more central Lufkin.
- Mid-19th Century: The county's economy relies on agriculture, particularly cotton production, as well as timber and sawmills.
- 1882: The Houston East and West Texas Railway is extended into Angelina County, boosting economic development and commerce.
- Early 20th Century: The discovery of oil deposits contributes to the county's growth and prosperity.
- 1927: Lufkin becomes the official county seat, replacing Homer.
- 20th Century: Angelina County experiences periods of economic growth and decline, influenced by various factors such as the Great Depression, the oil industry, and the timber industry.
- Today: Angelina County remains an important center for timber production, while also diversifying its economy with manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors.