Sanders House

Built for prominent woodcarver Robert W. Sanders, this two-story late Victorian structure is a unique example of this style in Beaumont. Although the house was built by James Wellman, a local contractor, to Sander's specifications, finishing, including much elaborate wood carving, was done by Sanders himself. The house exemplifies the type of home built in the pre-Spindeltop oil boom era when Beaumont was a flourishing lumber and agriculture center. Robert Washington Sanders was born at Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee on October 29, 1850. His parents, Richard and Sarah (Thompson) Sanders were both Rutherford County natives. Robert Sanders served his apprenticeship under a stair-builder in Nashville before coming to Texas in 1874. He settled first in Dallas, which at the time was the western terminus of the Texas & Pacific railway and the northern terminus of the Houston & Texas Central railway. Later he traveled as far as San Diego, California, with railroad surveyors for Texas & Pacific out of Fort Worth. While in Dallas, Sanders married Ida May Stewart. The Sanders had two daughters, Henrietta May and Pearl. The Sanders lived in Fort Worth from 1 1877 to 1878.

When the Sanders moved to Beaumont in 1878 it was a village of not more than three hundred population. Mr. Sanders built the first planing mil11 in the town, located across the street from the home at 479 Pine which he built later. In 1885 he became mill superintendent for Reliance Lumber Co. When that company was sold to Kirby Lumber Co. in 1902, Mr. Sanders began cabinet making in a shop behind his home on Pine St. Among existing examples of Sander's work are the stairs in the Tyrrell Public Library (in Beaumont's Historic Commercial District) and the altar in the First Methodist Church where he was a member of the congregation.

Sander's name appeared on the cornerstone of the old Jefferson County Courthouse, built in 1892, as a member of the building committee. He served as alderman for one term during Beaumont's early years. He was a charter member of Beaumont Lodge No. 278, 1.0.0.F., a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Beaumont and belonged to the Knights of Honor. He died at his home on Pine St. in 1916, having actively pursued his wood carving even in retirement until his death.

Mrs. Sanders and Pearl, her daughter, remained in the house until Pearl's marriage in the early 1920's. They retained ownership until 1937, when they sold it to Beaumont Savings and Loan. Ten years later, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Monroe bought it and operated a rooming house there until the summer of 1978, when the present owner bought it. There is much local interest in the preservation of the house and Mr. Webb is anxious to maintain its unique qualities.