National Register Listing

Pollock-Capps House

1120 Penn St., Fort Worth, TX
The Pollock-Capps House at 1120 Penn Street, Fort Worth, Texas, is one of two remaining 19th century residences in the once-fashionable neighborhood called "Quality Hill." This house, constructed in the Queen Anne style of the late Victorian period, reflects the prosperity of Fort Worth after the railroad made the city a center of the important cattle industry. The Pollock-Capps House was built in 1898, probably by an English architect, Howard Messer, for Dr. Joseph R. Pollock. Dr. Pollock, a native of Galesburg, Illinois, and a graduate of Hahanemann College, Philadelphia, practiced medicine in Fort Worth for twenty-five years, from 1885 until two years before his death in 1912. A homeopathic physician, Pollock served three separate terms as president of the Texas State Homeopathic Physicians' Association. The Pollock family built the house at 1120 Penn Street because they admired the house being constructed at 1110 Penn Street for Frank Ball, an attorney from Galveston. The Pollocks are believed to have employed the same architect, Howard Messer, to design a similar residence for them at 1120 Penn Street, next door to the Ball residence. In 1910, the Pollock residence was sold to William Capps, co-founder of the law firm of Capps and Cantey (later Capps, Cantey, Hanger and Short). This firm published the Fort Worth Record and was also a developer in real estate. The Capps family included three children, Count, Alba and Mattie Mae. The youngest of the three, Mattie Mae, married Frank Anderson, business manager of the Fort Worth Record. The Andersons, with their adopted son, William, occupied the house with Mr. and Mrs. William Capps. Mr. Capps died in 1925; Mrs. Capps in 1946; and Mrs. Anderson in 1963. In 1971 Mr. Anderson moved to the Forth Worth club and sold the house to Historic Fort Worth, Incorporated, a preservation group organized by the Amon G. Carter Foundation and the Junior League of Forth Worth, Incorporated. Historic Fort Worth, Incorporated, plans to restore the residence as a house museum. This property as well as the Ball House (later known as the McFarland-Eddleman House) are historic properties that will be incorporated into a proposed public park on the flood plain of the Trinity River, an area directly behind the bluff on which the two houses sit. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1972.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

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 houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is known for its love of football, and the state has produced many great football players, including legends like Tom Landry, Earl Campbell, and Vince Young.
Texas random facts
Tarrant County, Texas, has a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. The area was initially inhabited by indigenous tribes before European exploration and settlement. In the mid-19th century, the region became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico.

Tarrant County was established in 1849 and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader during the Texas Revolution. The county experienced significant growth and development throughout the 19th century, fueled by factors such as the expansion of railroads, cattle ranching, and the discovery of oil.

During the 20th century, Tarrant County continued to flourish and adapt to changing times. It became an important hub for transportation, commerce, and industry. The county's largest city, Fort Worth, emerged as a major center for cattle trading and eventually diversified into a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

Today, Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, encompassing Fort Worth and several other cities and communities. It boasts a diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Tarrant County is also home to renowned educational institutions, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities, making it a dynamic and thriving region within the state.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Tarrant County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area was inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Wichita and Comanche, before European settlement.

  • 1849: Tarrant County was officially established and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader in the Republic of Texas.

  • 1850s: Fort Worth, the county seat, began as a military outpost on the Trinity River, providing protection for settlers and serving as a stop on the Chisholm Trail cattle drive route.

  • Late 19th Century: The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth in Fort Worth and the county. The city became a center for the cattle industry, agriculture, and trade.

  • 20th Century: Tarrant County experienced significant urbanization and diversification. Fort Worth became a major hub for the oil and gas industry, aviation, and defense with the establishment of military bases.

  • Civil Rights Era: Tarrant County, like many regions in the United States, faced challenges and changes during the civil rights movement, with efforts to achieve racial equality and social progress.

  • Modern Times: Tarrant County continues to thrive as a major economic and cultural center in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, and education.