Doom, Col. Randolph C., House
7.5 mi. W of Jasper on FM 1747, Jasper, TXThe Col. Randolph C. Doom House was built ca. 1856 for a prominent pioneer East Texas customs agent. The house is presently located on a tract of land near the Bevelport Community. Not only is the residence significant for its connection with the history of a prominent Texas settler, but it is also noteworthy as an early example of the Greek Revival style. Another interesting facet of the history of the house is its association with prominent political figures in recent years. U.S. Representative Jack Brooks, the current owner of the property, has entertained both Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson in his home in 1960 and 1963, respectively.
Randolph C. Doom was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on January 7, 1811. He came to Texas on May 18, 1836, as a volunteer in Captain Henry Huble's company in the revolution against Mexico. After serving under Colonel George W. Poe in the paymaster department, R. C. Doom was appointed collector of customs for the district of Sabine on May 19, 1837. It was during this time that an island in Sabine Lake between Port Arthur and Orange was named in honor of Doom. Doom's Island intercepted traffic from the river into the lake and was an important collection point. Other distinguished credits afforded Doom were his election to the Eighth Congress of Texas and his tour of office in the House of Representatives during the Fourth, Seventh, and Eleventh Legislatures. He died on December 5, 1881.
The house built for the Doom family was constructed during Col. Doom's career as a state legislator. The Greek Revival style being the fashion of the 1850s in Texas, Doom's house represents an interesting vernacular adaptation of the style. Unusual features of the house include a long, gently sloping, gabled roof that extends over the one-story veranda and the absence of dormer windows in the roof. However, features such as front rooms opening directly onto the veranda and wide central halls are typical of houses built in humid Southern climates during the mid-19th century.
Colonel Doom's house remained in the family through the 1920s when the last descendant to live there, R. V. Shelby, sold it to Mr. Ed Linn of Port Arthur. Mr. Linn maintained the original property as a country residence until 1959 when it was sold to U. S. Representative Jack Brooks of Beaumont. Representative Brooks moved the house to his property approximately one-half mile north of the original site and has maintained the premises for weekend retreats.
The late House Speaker Sam Rayburn was entertained in the house during a fishing expedition on the Angelina River in October 1960. On the Sunday afternoon of his visit, Speaker Rayburn was honored with an open house reception. Similarly, Representative Brooks entertained Lyndon Johnson at the House in September 1963. Johnson, then Vice-President, delivered a major speech from the front porch.
Randolph C. Doom was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on January 7, 1811. He came to Texas on May 18, 1836, as a volunteer in Captain Henry Huble's company in the revolution against Mexico. After serving under Colonel George W. Poe in the paymaster department, R. C. Doom was appointed collector of customs for the district of Sabine on May 19, 1837. It was during this time that an island in Sabine Lake between Port Arthur and Orange was named in honor of Doom. Doom's Island intercepted traffic from the river into the lake and was an important collection point. Other distinguished credits afforded Doom were his election to the Eighth Congress of Texas and his tour of office in the House of Representatives during the Fourth, Seventh, and Eleventh Legislatures. He died on December 5, 1881.
The house built for the Doom family was constructed during Col. Doom's career as a state legislator. The Greek Revival style being the fashion of the 1850s in Texas, Doom's house represents an interesting vernacular adaptation of the style. Unusual features of the house include a long, gently sloping, gabled roof that extends over the one-story veranda and the absence of dormer windows in the roof. However, features such as front rooms opening directly onto the veranda and wide central halls are typical of houses built in humid Southern climates during the mid-19th century.
Colonel Doom's house remained in the family through the 1920s when the last descendant to live there, R. V. Shelby, sold it to Mr. Ed Linn of Port Arthur. Mr. Linn maintained the original property as a country residence until 1959 when it was sold to U. S. Representative Jack Brooks of Beaumont. Representative Brooks moved the house to his property approximately one-half mile north of the original site and has maintained the premises for weekend retreats.
The late House Speaker Sam Rayburn was entertained in the house during a fishing expedition on the Angelina River in October 1960. On the Sunday afternoon of his visit, Speaker Rayburn was honored with an open house reception. Similarly, Representative Brooks entertained Lyndon Johnson at the House in September 1963. Johnson, then Vice-President, delivered a major speech from the front porch.
Bibliography
Alexander, Drury Blakeley. Texas Homes of the 19th Century, Austin: The University of Texas Press, 1966, pp. 36, 237.
"Touring East Texas," Bob Bowman, Jasper News-Boy, January 21, 1965.
"Treasure Seekers Rip Doom's Island," Frank X. Tolbert, Dallas Morning News, December 28, 1964.
Webb, Walter Prescott, ed., The Handbook of Texas, Austin: The Texas State Historical Association, 1952, p. 514.
"Touring East Texas," Bob Bowman, Jasper News-Boy, January 21, 1965.
"Treasure Seekers Rip Doom's Island," Frank X. Tolbert, Dallas Morning News, December 28, 1964.
Webb, Walter Prescott, ed., The Handbook of Texas, Austin: The Texas State Historical Association, 1952, p. 514.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
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.
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
About Jasper County
Jasper County Timeline
Jasper County, Texas has a rich history dating back many centuries. The land where Jasper County now stands was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Atakapan and Alabama-Coushatta peoples. European settlers began to arrive in the area in the early 19th century, primarily from other parts of the southern United States.
Jasper County was officially established on February 1, 1836, just weeks before the independence of Texas from Mexico. The county was named after William Jasper, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. In the early days of the county, logging and farming were the primary economic activities. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further contributed to the growth and development of Jasper County.
The county experienced significant changes during the 20th century. The discovery of oil in the East Texas Oil Field in the early 1930s brought an economic boom to Jasper County, leading to increased population and infrastructure development. However, the area also faced challenges, including racial tension and civil rights struggles during the mid-20th century.
Today, Jasper County continues to thrive, with a diverse economy including oil and gas, timber, agriculture, and tourism. The county is known for its natural beauty, including the scenic Angelina National Forest and the serene waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Jasper, the county seat, serves as a hub for commerce and government activities. The history and heritage of Jasper County are celebrated through various cultural events and museums, ensuring that its past remains an integral part of its present and future.
Jasper County was officially established on February 1, 1836, just weeks before the independence of Texas from Mexico. The county was named after William Jasper, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. In the early days of the county, logging and farming were the primary economic activities. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further contributed to the growth and development of Jasper County.
The county experienced significant changes during the 20th century. The discovery of oil in the East Texas Oil Field in the early 1930s brought an economic boom to Jasper County, leading to increased population and infrastructure development. However, the area also faced challenges, including racial tension and civil rights struggles during the mid-20th century.
Today, Jasper County continues to thrive, with a diverse economy including oil and gas, timber, agriculture, and tourism. The county is known for its natural beauty, including the scenic Angelina National Forest and the serene waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Jasper, the county seat, serves as a hub for commerce and government activities. The history and heritage of Jasper County are celebrated through various cultural events and museums, ensuring that its past remains an integral part of its present and future.
Jasper County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jasper County, Texas.
- 1835 - Jasper County is established on February 1st.
- 1846 - The county seat is moved from Bevilport to Jasper.
- 1861-1865 - Jasper County residents participate in the American Civil War.
- 1881 - The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway is built through Jasper County.
- 1901 - The Spindletop oil strike near Beaumont triggers an oil boom in the area, benefiting Jasper County.
- 1950s-1970s - The construction of Sam Rayburn Reservoir boosts the county's economy and recreational opportunities.
- 1996 - Jasper County experiences racial tension and protests following the murder of James Byrd Jr.