Newton, William Walter, House
401 N. Bolton St., Jacksonville, TXThe W.W. Newton House, commissioned in 1902 by a prominent Cherokee County settler family, is a valuable and uncommon example of the vernacular Queen Anne style in Jacksonville. One of the few remaining structures from this period in the city, the Newton House exemplifies the residential architectural preferences of the well-to-do at the turn of the century. W.W. Looney, a popular local architect, designed the house from Queen Anne prototypes and incorporated a large corner turret, steep gables, and an eclectic display of exterior siding materials in his plan. The use of shingle siding to cover the second floor suggests Shingle Style influence upon Looney's design. This two-story house stands as the oldest extant residence directly associated with one of Jacksonville's most prominent families during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Standing on the corner of a prominent thoroughfare, the Newton House recalls the founders of the city of Jacksonville and its surrounding area. Not only is the Newton House associated with early settlers of Cherokee County but, in its own right, is a delightful example of early, turn-of-the-century residential architecture.
Moving from Farmington, Tennessee, G.A. Newton, his wife, Mary Alivira, and father-in-law, Thomas McKee, settled and founded the city of Larissa in 1846. G.A. Newton was a prominent citizen in the community for many years and held many political offices during his lifetime. He served as a justice of the peace and tax assessor and was later elected to the Texas House of Representatives for its 18th and 20th sessions. Newton was also a successful farmer, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and helped establish the college of Larissa which was later incorporated with Trinity University. The Newtons raised a family of eleven children and remained in Larissa for fifty years.
The International and Great Northern Railroad came to the Larissa area in 1872 but passed a few miles north of the community. This event resulted in the formation of a new town, Jacksonville, and was the determining factor in the Newton family's eventual decision to relocate to Jacksonville. The community of Larissa has since been absorbed into Jacksonville. William A. (W.A.), one of G.A.'s sons, soon established a dry goods store in the city. W.A.'s importance in shaping Jacksonville's early growth is best illustrated by the vast amount of land he owned in the town and his donation of property for the city's first public school. When each of his three sons married, W.A. built houses for them on family land, and the W.W. Newton House at 401 North Bolton Street is one of these. W.W. Newton was a successful farmer and businessman in the area. In 1898 he married Loring Collins, the daughter of Dr. Herschel V. Collins. A prominent physician in Jacksonville at the turn of the century, Collins was an important benefactor to the Jacksonville Baptist College, and a dormitory has been named in his honor.
Occupied by the Newton family until 1955, the house has been rented for residential purposes since that time. The current owner, Jany Foy, W.W.'s granddaughter, plans to rehabilitate the house for use as office.
Local significance of the building:
Standing on the corner of a prominent thoroughfare, the Newton House recalls the founders of the city of Jacksonville and its surrounding area. Not only is the Newton House associated with early settlers of Cherokee County but, in its own right, is a delightful example of early, turn-of-the-century residential architecture.
Moving from Farmington, Tennessee, G.A. Newton, his wife, Mary Alivira, and father-in-law, Thomas McKee, settled and founded the city of Larissa in 1846. G.A. Newton was a prominent citizen in the community for many years and held many political offices during his lifetime. He served as a justice of the peace and tax assessor and was later elected to the Texas House of Representatives for its 18th and 20th sessions. Newton was also a successful farmer, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and helped establish the college of Larissa which was later incorporated with Trinity University. The Newtons raised a family of eleven children and remained in Larissa for fifty years.
The International and Great Northern Railroad came to the Larissa area in 1872 but passed a few miles north of the community. This event resulted in the formation of a new town, Jacksonville, and was the determining factor in the Newton family's eventual decision to relocate to Jacksonville. The community of Larissa has since been absorbed into Jacksonville. William A. (W.A.), one of G.A.'s sons, soon established a dry goods store in the city. W.A.'s importance in shaping Jacksonville's early growth is best illustrated by the vast amount of land he owned in the town and his donation of property for the city's first public school. When each of his three sons married, W.A. built houses for them on family land, and the W.W. Newton House at 401 North Bolton Street is one of these. W.W. Newton was a successful farmer and businessman in the area. In 1898 he married Loring Collins, the daughter of Dr. Herschel V. Collins. A prominent physician in Jacksonville at the turn of the century, Collins was an important benefactor to the Jacksonville Baptist College, and a dormitory has been named in his honor.
Occupied by the Newton family until 1955, the house has been rented for residential purposes since that time. The current owner, Jany Foy, W.W.'s granddaughter, plans to rehabilitate the house for use as office.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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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Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
About Cherokee County
Cherokee County Timeline
Cherokee County, located in eastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Kickapoo, and Cherokee. In the early 19th century, settlers from the United States began to arrive in the region, resulting in conflicts with the indigenous populations.
In 1837, the Texas Congress established Cherokee County, named after the Cherokee people, who had settled in the area. The county seat was initially located in the town of Rusk, which had grown as a result of the influx of settlers. Over the years, the county went through various changes, with the establishment of new towns and the growth of the local economy. Agriculture, particularly cotton and livestock farming, became the backbone of the county's economy.
During the Civil War, the county faced significant hardships as many men from Cherokee County enlisted in the Confederate Army. The economy suffered, and the county experienced both political and social unrest. However, following the war, the region gradually recovered, and new industries such as lumbering and oil exploration emerged.
In the 20th century, Cherokee County witnessed significant changes in its economy and demographics. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought an economic boom to the area, attracting new businesses and residents. Today, the county continues to thrive, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county also pays tribute to its Native American heritage through various cultural and historical organizations.
In 1837, the Texas Congress established Cherokee County, named after the Cherokee people, who had settled in the area. The county seat was initially located in the town of Rusk, which had grown as a result of the influx of settlers. Over the years, the county went through various changes, with the establishment of new towns and the growth of the local economy. Agriculture, particularly cotton and livestock farming, became the backbone of the county's economy.
During the Civil War, the county faced significant hardships as many men from Cherokee County enlisted in the Confederate Army. The economy suffered, and the county experienced both political and social unrest. However, following the war, the region gradually recovered, and new industries such as lumbering and oil exploration emerged.
In the 20th century, Cherokee County witnessed significant changes in its economy and demographics. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought an economic boom to the area, attracting new businesses and residents. Today, the county continues to thrive, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county also pays tribute to its Native American heritage through various cultural and historical organizations.
Cherokee County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cherokee County, Texas.
- 1846: Cherokee County is created and organized.
- 1847: The town of Rusk is designated as the county seat.
- 1850s: The area sees conflicts between the Cherokee and local settlers.
- 1861-1865: Cherokee County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
- 1872: The International-Great Northern Railroad is built through Rusk, boosting the local economy.
- 1900: The discovery of the large Berry gypsum deposit leads to the establishment of the Frankston Gypsum Company.
- 1930s: The Great Depression causes significant economic challenges for Cherokee County.
- 1942: Camp Fannin, a World War II army training camp, is established in Cherokee County.
- 1982: Lake Palestine is completed, providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
- Present: Cherokee County continues to be a vibrant community with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities.