Faulk and Gauntt Building
217 N. Prairieville St., Athens, TXThe Faulk and Guantt Building is an excellent example of late Victorian commercial architecture. It is one of the few Athens buildings which remains intact from the prosperous railroad era. Furthermore, the history of ownership of the site and structure includes several pioneer families of the community.
Originally part of the 1821 Spanish grant to Thomas Palmer, the site, identified as Lot 1, Block 4, passed through several owners before being purchased by Judges W.L. and J.J. Faulk in January 1873. By 1893 J.R. Gauntt had purchased the property which then included a building that had served as the law offices of Faulk and Faulk. In preparation for the construction of the current building, the existing one was razed.
Constructed by Hawn Lumber Company, the new building housed first a mercantile business and later a grocery store on the ground floor, and the Faulk law offices as well as offices of both a physician and dentist on the second floor. Located near the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad (later known as the Cotton Belt), the building was ideally suited for commercial use. However, with the advent of the automobile, the site, which afforded minimal space for parking, suffered a decline in use. After the closing of the grocery store and professional offices in the early 20th century, the building was unoccupied except for occasional, short-lived uses. From 1909-10 a small manufacturing business was housed there, and from 1944-46 it served as the City Hall of Athens.
In 1924 the Gaunt family sold the building to the son of W.L. Faulk. It remained in the Faulk family until 1975 when Joe M. Holloway purchased it. He in turn sold it to the newly founded Henderson County Historical Society in 1979 which plans to convert it into a museum.
Local significance of the building:
Originally part of the 1821 Spanish grant to Thomas Palmer, the site, identified as Lot 1, Block 4, passed through several owners before being purchased by Judges W.L. and J.J. Faulk in January 1873. By 1893 J.R. Gauntt had purchased the property which then included a building that had served as the law offices of Faulk and Faulk. In preparation for the construction of the current building, the existing one was razed.
Constructed by Hawn Lumber Company, the new building housed first a mercantile business and later a grocery store on the ground floor, and the Faulk law offices as well as offices of both a physician and dentist on the second floor. Located near the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad (later known as the Cotton Belt), the building was ideally suited for commercial use. However, with the advent of the automobile, the site, which afforded minimal space for parking, suffered a decline in use. After the closing of the grocery store and professional offices in the early 20th century, the building was unoccupied except for occasional, short-lived uses. From 1909-10 a small manufacturing business was housed there, and from 1944-46 it served as the City Hall of Athens.
In 1924 the Gaunt family sold the building to the son of W.L. Faulk. It remained in the Faulk family until 1975 when Joe M. Holloway purchased it. He in turn sold it to the newly founded Henderson County Historical Society in 1979 which plans to convert it into a museum.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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 is known for its barbecue, and one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the state is Kreuz Market in Lockhart. The restaurant has been in operation since 1900 and is still family-owned.
About Henderson County
Henderson County Timeline
Henderson County, located in the northeastern part of Texas, has a rich and fascinating history. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. The land became a part of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was formally organized as Henderson County in 1846, named in honor of James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
In the mid-19th century, Henderson County experienced a significant influx of settlers, mainly from the southern United States. These settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, taking advantage of the fertile soils and favorable climate to grow crops such as cotton, corn, and vegetables. The first county seat was established in Athens, which remains the county seat to this day.
During the Civil War, Henderson County, like much of the South, was affected by the conflict. Although there were no significant battles fought in the area, the war had a profound impact on the local economy and social fabric. Many men from Henderson County enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the war's aftermath brought significant challenges and changes to the region.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henderson County continued to thrive, with the agricultural industry playing a pivotal role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further bolstered economic development, facilitating the transportation of goods and increasing opportunities for trade. Over time, other industries such as manufacturing and healthcare also emerged. Today, Henderson County remains a vibrant community, preserving its rich heritage while embracing progress and growth.
In the mid-19th century, Henderson County experienced a significant influx of settlers, mainly from the southern United States. These settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, taking advantage of the fertile soils and favorable climate to grow crops such as cotton, corn, and vegetables. The first county seat was established in Athens, which remains the county seat to this day.
During the Civil War, Henderson County, like much of the South, was affected by the conflict. Although there were no significant battles fought in the area, the war had a profound impact on the local economy and social fabric. Many men from Henderson County enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the war's aftermath brought significant challenges and changes to the region.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henderson County continued to thrive, with the agricultural industry playing a pivotal role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further bolstered economic development, facilitating the transportation of goods and increasing opportunities for trade. Over time, other industries such as manufacturing and healthcare also emerged. Today, Henderson County remains a vibrant community, preserving its rich heritage while embracing progress and growth.
Henderson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Henderson County, Texas.
- 1846 - Henderson County established as a county of the Republic of Texas.
- 1850 - First census conducted, showing a population of 1,714.
- 1851 - Athens becomes the county seat.
- 1861-1865 - Henderson County residents participate in the American Civil War.
- 1880 - Cotton production becomes a major industry in the county.
- 1902 - The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the development of the oil industry.
- 1930s-1940s - Henderson County experiences economic growth due to the construction of the Cross Lake Dam and the establishment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fish Hatchery and Fish Experiment Station.
- 1960s-1970s - Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Lake are created, attracting tourism and real estate development.
- 1987 - The Henderson County Courthouse is destroyed by fire but is rebuilt and restored.
- 2000 - The population of Henderson County reaches 73,277.
- 2019 - Henderson County celebrates its 173rd anniversary since establishment.