National Register Listing

Episcopalian Rectory

225 W. Hopkins St., San Marcos, TX
The Episcopalian Rectory is an excellent example of the hybrid style created by combining Greek-Revival and Victorian-period lines. Its late date illustrates an important point in Texas architectural history, that major American styles were late in arriving and sometimes slow in replacing popular tastes.

N.K. and Tennie Faris sold lot 5 of block 15 to the "Bishop and Standing Committee of the Missionary District of West Texas" for $550 in 1889. This seems to be the same year that St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church erected the house, to be used as a rectory. A verbal account says that an existing cottage on the lot was demolished and part of the lumber was reused.

St. Mark's Church was located across the street where a supermarket now stands. It was built in 1902, with funds secured using the rectory as collateral, and demolished in 1955. St. Mark's first church had been built in 1875.

During the first part of this century, the church underwent a difficult period with low membership and, occasionally, an empty pulpit. At this time, St. Mark's must have begun renting out the Rectory. By about 1925 the house was rented by the Calvin Tuttle family of Martindale. A son, James, went on to hold various offices in St. Mark's organization and to found the Tuttle Lumber Company in 1950.

For a while around 1935, when St. Mark's did not have a rector in residence, one bedroom upstairs at 225 W. Hopkins was reserved for the supply pastor, as was the added bathroom.

How many families rented the house is not known. The present owners, who rented from 1935 until they purchased the house from the church in 1940, moved in after a family that sold Singer Sewing Machines from the house vacated. The 1940 sale was to raise money to repair the church.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

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.

architecture
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
Hays County, located in the central part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. However, the first recorded European arrival in the region occurred in 1690 when Spanish explorers made their way through the area.

In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.

During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.

In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Hays County, Texas.

  • 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
  • 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
  • 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
  • 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
  • 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
  • 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
  • 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
  • 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.