Birge, Capt. Noble Allan, House
a.k.a. Capt. Birge House
727 W. Birge, Sherman, TXThe Capt. Noble Allan Birge House, built in 1896, is significant not only by reason of its impressive and flamboyant Queen Anne/Colonial Revival architecture (few examples of which exist in Sherman) but also because of its historical association with one of Sherman's earliest and most excellent industrial developers. Capt. Birge (1832-1902), who built the house, established what is said to have been one of the largest and best-known cotton brokerage firms in the South: Sherman's Birge-Forbes Co. He also founded other cotton-related industries locally, including a compress company and cotton oil mills. Birge fathered thirteen children, eight of whom subsequently built their homes nearby. The children continued their father's successful businesses, and the Birge family remains synonymous with Sherman's cotton and cottonseed oil industries to this day.
The first reference found regarding N.A. Birge in Texas is recorded in the 1860 Marion County census. He is listed as being, "28, male, born in Connecticut, and has the occupation of Sheriff." He was the first elected sheriff of Marion County. At this time, Birge also owned a livery stable connected to the old Central Hotel (now Excelsior House) in 1861-1863. He was a captain in the Confederate Army, serving as brigade quartermaster in northern Louisiana in 1863. In 1866, Capt. Birge was one of the incorporators in the Henderson, Marshall, Jefferson Railroad Co. and in 1573 an incorporator of the Lake City Navigation Co. formed to open and improve the navigation of Big Cypress Bayou.
Between 1860 and 1874, N.A. Birge was a prominent merchant and civic leader. He acquired many lots and parcels of land, buying and selling as a real estate agent. During this time he built a house in Jefferson that is presently on the National Register: the Beard House, listed in 1970. In 1874 Birge sold that house for $6,500 and moved with his wife and six children by covered wagon to
Sherman, Texas.
After living for three years on a farm south of Sherman, Birge purchased ten acres in the Fairview Addition, an area just west of the city limits at that time. In 1877 Birge built a home destroyed on May 15, 1896, by the Great Sherman Tornado. The present house was constructed on the same site in the summer of 1896 and was owned by Birge descendants until 1969. Though the house contains many typical Victorian-period details, the massively columned portico indicates that the designer was keenly aware of the newly evolving Colonial Revival style. John Tulloch, a prolific Scottish-born architect in Sherman at that time, was probably responsible. Most of the homes of the Birge Children and other nearby houses are known to have been designed by Tulloch. The Capt. Birge House is the oldest and largest house in its neighborhood and is one of only eight or nine similarly styled houses surviving in Sherman. The
the neighborhood is one of older homes, and at the time of the house's construction was near the western city limits.
To the rear (north) of the Birge House is a Colonial Revival house moved to its site in 1917 by Fred Birge, a son of the captain. Immediately to the east is a 1918 brick bungalow built by another son, George J. Birge, while one house further east on the same block is the 1898 home of a daughter. On the south side of Birge Street are two very large houses built by sons Willard and Nathaniel in 1910. The Capt. Birge House was the first and most dominant structure in one of the most prestigious Silk Stocking residential areas of the city, an area that today remains one of the most beautiful and desirable in Sherman.
Capt. Birge died on November 17, 1902, at age 70, and his widow Virginia Frances Birge lived on in the house until her death on January 2, 1930, at age 75. Several of the captain's children lived with Virginia, including a son from Nolan Birge's first marriage, John Bradford (68 at Virginia's death), and his wife Stella Annie Eliot (66 at Virginia's death). Children from her first marriage-Fred Johnson, Lucy Ann, and George J.-also lived in the Birge home.
Local significance of the building:
The first reference found regarding N.A. Birge in Texas is recorded in the 1860 Marion County census. He is listed as being, "28, male, born in Connecticut, and has the occupation of Sheriff." He was the first elected sheriff of Marion County. At this time, Birge also owned a livery stable connected to the old Central Hotel (now Excelsior House) in 1861-1863. He was a captain in the Confederate Army, serving as brigade quartermaster in northern Louisiana in 1863. In 1866, Capt. Birge was one of the incorporators in the Henderson, Marshall, Jefferson Railroad Co. and in 1573 an incorporator of the Lake City Navigation Co. formed to open and improve the navigation of Big Cypress Bayou.
Between 1860 and 1874, N.A. Birge was a prominent merchant and civic leader. He acquired many lots and parcels of land, buying and selling as a real estate agent. During this time he built a house in Jefferson that is presently on the National Register: the Beard House, listed in 1970. In 1874 Birge sold that house for $6,500 and moved with his wife and six children by covered wagon to
Sherman, Texas.
After living for three years on a farm south of Sherman, Birge purchased ten acres in the Fairview Addition, an area just west of the city limits at that time. In 1877 Birge built a home destroyed on May 15, 1896, by the Great Sherman Tornado. The present house was constructed on the same site in the summer of 1896 and was owned by Birge descendants until 1969. Though the house contains many typical Victorian-period details, the massively columned portico indicates that the designer was keenly aware of the newly evolving Colonial Revival style. John Tulloch, a prolific Scottish-born architect in Sherman at that time, was probably responsible. Most of the homes of the Birge Children and other nearby houses are known to have been designed by Tulloch. The Capt. Birge House is the oldest and largest house in its neighborhood and is one of only eight or nine similarly styled houses surviving in Sherman. The
the neighborhood is one of older homes, and at the time of the house's construction was near the western city limits.
To the rear (north) of the Birge House is a Colonial Revival house moved to its site in 1917 by Fred Birge, a son of the captain. Immediately to the east is a 1918 brick bungalow built by another son, George J. Birge, while one house further east on the same block is the 1898 home of a daughter. On the south side of Birge Street are two very large houses built by sons Willard and Nathaniel in 1910. The Capt. Birge House was the first and most dominant structure in one of the most prestigious Silk Stocking residential areas of the city, an area that today remains one of the most beautiful and desirable in Sherman.
Capt. Birge died on November 17, 1902, at age 70, and his widow Virginia Frances Birge lived on in the house until her death on January 2, 1930, at age 75. Several of the captain's children lived with Virginia, including a son from Nolan Birge's first marriage, John Bradford (68 at Virginia's death), and his wife Stella Annie Eliot (66 at Virginia's death). Children from her first marriage-Fred Johnson, Lucy Ann, and George J.-also lived in the Birge home.
Commerce; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
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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The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
About Grayson County
Grayson County Timeline
Grayson County, Texas has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The area that is now Grayson County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Tonkawa, and Shawnee. However, European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 1800s, leading to conflicts and the eventual displacement of the Native American populations.
The county itself was established in 1846 and named after Peter Wagener Grayson, a lawyer who served in the Texas legislature. Grayson County quickly grew as settlers moved into the region, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming and ranching. The county's economy flourished with the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, which facilitated transportation of goods and boosted trade in the area.
During the Civil War, Grayson County largely supported the Confederacy, and many residents volunteered to serve in the Southern army. After the war, the county faced challenges as it struggled to rebuild and recover from the economic and social impacts of the conflict. However, the discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought a new wave of prosperity to Grayson County. Oil fields were developed, attracting workers and boosting the local economy.
Today, Grayson County continues to thrive as a vibrant and growing community. It is home to several cities, including Sherman, the county seat, and Denison. The county is known for its natural beauty, including Lake Texoma, which is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. Grayson County also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, museums, and festivals that celebrate its unique history and traditions.
The county itself was established in 1846 and named after Peter Wagener Grayson, a lawyer who served in the Texas legislature. Grayson County quickly grew as settlers moved into the region, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming and ranching. The county's economy flourished with the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, which facilitated transportation of goods and boosted trade in the area.
During the Civil War, Grayson County largely supported the Confederacy, and many residents volunteered to serve in the Southern army. After the war, the county faced challenges as it struggled to rebuild and recover from the economic and social impacts of the conflict. However, the discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought a new wave of prosperity to Grayson County. Oil fields were developed, attracting workers and boosting the local economy.
Today, Grayson County continues to thrive as a vibrant and growing community. It is home to several cities, including Sherman, the county seat, and Denison. The county is known for its natural beauty, including Lake Texoma, which is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. Grayson County also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, museums, and festivals that celebrate its unique history and traditions.
Grayson County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Grayson County, Texas.
- 1836 - The Republic of Texas is established, including the area now known as Grayson County.
- 1846 - Grayson County is officially organized and named after Peter W. Grayson, a hero of the Texas Revolution.
- 1850 - The first courthouse is built in Sherman, becoming the county seat.
- 1871 - The arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad sparks growth in the county.
- 1872 - Sherman is incorporated as a city.
- 1896 - The Red River Bridge, connecting Grayson County to the Oklahoma Territory, is completed.
- 1900 - The population of Grayson County reaches over 40,000 residents.
- 1930s - Grayson County is affected by the Great Depression, but starts recovering through federal programs.
- 1960s - Lake Texoma is created by the Army Corps of Engineers, providing recreational opportunities.
- 1990s - Grayson County experiences rapid growth due to its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
- 2006 - The Grayson County Courthouse, built in 1910, undergoes major renovations.