Heard House
620 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TXLast, of the local turreted mansions, the Heard House on West San Antonio Street is a fine example of a Victorian type popular for its romantic, grandiose profile. Particularly notable are the porch trim and the wooden interior finishes. The house was built for a successful rancher.
Samuel McGehee Heard (born 1854) came to Texas from Arkansas as a child. He was educated by Major Ezekial Nance at his school near Kyle and apprenticed to Nance to learn the ranching business. In 1882, he married Nancy Zively, with whom he had six children. Six years later, he bought the nominated property from D.A. Nance.
Evidently, Heard was good at his trade, because in about 1888, he was able to build one of the fanciest houses in town. Many farmers and ranchers who had made their fortunes in the country were finding, during this period, that a house in town had definite social and financial advantages. Heard's home was distinguished by a three-story turret and lacy porch trim.
At the time the Heards built the house they owned the land from there down to (now) 626 W. San Antonio, and north to (now) Hopkins Street. Heard kept horses on this land, and rode to his ranch to oversee it.
Heard was described in an ebullient, but uninformative, obituary as a "genuine cowman--the ideal ranchman" in 1909. Family members remained in the house until 1944 when the late husband of the present owner purchased it.
Samuel McGehee Heard (born 1854) came to Texas from Arkansas as a child. He was educated by Major Ezekial Nance at his school near Kyle and apprenticed to Nance to learn the ranching business. In 1882, he married Nancy Zively, with whom he had six children. Six years later, he bought the nominated property from D.A. Nance.
Evidently, Heard was good at his trade, because in about 1888, he was able to build one of the fanciest houses in town. Many farmers and ranchers who had made their fortunes in the country were finding, during this period, that a house in town had definite social and financial advantages. Heard's home was distinguished by a three-story turret and lacy porch trim.
At the time the Heards built the house they owned the land from there down to (now) 626 W. San Antonio, and north to (now) Hopkins Street. Heard kept horses on this land, and rode to his ranch to oversee it.
Heard was described in an ebullient, but uninformative, obituary as a "genuine cowman--the ideal ranchman" in 1909. Family members remained in the house until 1944 when the late husband of the present owner purchased it.
Bibliography
Obituary for Samuel McGehee Heard, undated, source not stated. On file at San Marcos Public Library.
Deed records for Hays County.
Interview with Flora Baker, April 5, 1982.
Deed records for Hays County.
Interview with Flora Baker, April 5, 1982.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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 has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
About Hays County
Hays County Timeline
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.
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.
Hays County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped 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.