Angell Manor
502 E. Taylor Street in Jefferson, Texas
Also known by other names such as EverMay Inn or the Little Schluter House, this house faces Lions Club City Park and is located on one of the largest properties in Jefferson.
According to information in the Wise files at the Carnegie Library, this home was built by Louis Smith Schluter in 1911. An affidavit of Elmer Jones, born 1898, states that as a boy he played baseball on these lots and they were vacant at the time. L.S. Schluter was the son of Frederick Augustus Schluter, who built the antebellum Schluter House next door. A close inspection of the 1872 Brosius bird’s eye view map of Jefferson shows a Greek Revival house at this location in 1872. It must have been torn down before little Elmer played ball on the lot.
The house is of Queen Anne Victorian Free Classic style. During the 1930s, the house was rented as a duplex with a small, shared kitchen and a common dining area in the central hall.
After several ownership changes and a period of vacancy, the house fell into disrepair until it was purchased and restored in 1994. In addition to restoring the house, the three outbuildings were refurbished and a large kitchen was added which is now one of the loveliest kitchens in Jefferson.
The main house plan is a traditional “dog trot” or central hall style. The home features an expansive wrap-around porch. Several rooms have crown and dental moldings on the tall ceilings. Other architectural features include large pocket doors and gingerbread filigree in the foyer. New owners, Steve and Kim Shaw are restoring and making improvements to the home, and are excited to show off their hard work at this years Candlelight Tour Of Homes.
LSM Cottage
506 Moseley Street in Jefferson, Texas
The LSM Cottage is located at the corner of Moseley Street and Bridge Street in Jefferson, Texas where an original house dating back prior to 1872 once stood.
LSM Cottage is Greek Revival with two gables on the roof and a large sweeping porch on the front wrapping around one side. It was newly constructed in 2021.
The interior trim is country Greek with a large open floor plan. The wood used for the mantle and man-cave bathroom counter is from the original 1800 beams taken from the Jefferson Carnegie Library which were removed to make way for the now existing elevator shaft. The shelf in the man-cave is a one hundred fifty-year-old floor joist from Walnut Street Antiques here in Jefferson. The wood used on the walls, windows and gables are from houses that have been rebuilt elsewhere in Jefferson.
LSM is a combination of Lamar, Sherry, Lillie and Millie Mask and has been a family business name for over thirty years. Lamar and Sherry had always wanted to retire in Texas to be near cousins. Once their son and daughter-in-law decided to relocate to Jefferson, the rest is history.
Although the structure is new construction, it is filled with family treasures. They have been collecting Christmas decorations for thirty-six years with a large Santa and fairy collection along with Department 56 houses and Madame Alexander Christmas dolls.
Scarlett O'Hardy's
410 E. Taylor Street in Jefferson, Texas
Scarlett O’Hardy’s is a neo-Greek Revival home which stands in stately fashion at the corner of Taylor and Main streets, overlooking historic Christ Episcopal Church and Lions Park.
Owner Bobbie Hardy and her late husband, Randy, were diligent in their efforts to re-create the Old South and the 1800’s style.
Adapting the style of the 1800’s with today’s amenities and conveniences, and keeping in mind historic homes of Jefferson, the owners worked closely with David Wallace of Gladewater to create Scarlett O’Hardy’s.
Among the owner’s favorite things is a walnut desk once owned by Jefferson resident and Texas governor Charles A. Culberson and taken in trade by A.R. Hardy of Atlanta, Texas, who owned a mercantile in Jefferson; the chopping block from Bookout Grocery in Hillsboro, Texas; family-made quilts; tramp art; a collection of family photographs dating from the mid-1800s; a collection of Christmas cookie jars in the breakfast room; and a one-of-a-kind cypress knee Nativity.
Urquhart House
301 E. Walker Street in Jefferson, Texas
This impressive Queen Anne Victorian home has been known as the Urquhart House ever since Allen Urquhart, grandson and namesake of Jefferson founder Allen Urquhart, built the home.
In 1841, Urquhart started a ferry company on the banks of Ferry Lake, later renamed Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake. Urquhart built landings and buildings on each side of the bayou along with the construction of the first ferry located at the end of Houston Street. With the establishment of the ferry business, Jefferson soon became a major trade point on the clear route from Daingerfield to Shreveport. Urquhart began developing the surrounding land into a thriving business district and then helped organize the effort in making the bayou more navigable for steamboats. Thus did Jefferson become the second largest port in the State of Texas. While residing in Daingerfield, Urquhart constructed a toll bridge at the ferry site. In 1873, the Federal Government removed the great Red River Log Jam thus leaving Jefferson “high and dry” with diminished steamboat traffic. Several floods destroyed several lower river streets and many buildings and structures. The ferry structure on Houston Street was the only structure that remained in that area.
Allen Urquhart and his wife had four children. His oldest son, John McNeil Urquhart moved his family to his father’s land in Jefferson and raised five children. Their youngest son was named Allen Urquhart after his grandfather. John Urquhart converted the 14-foot by 20-foot ferry structure into a home and lived there for a short time.
In 1890, Allen, the grandson, decided to move the surviving 1841 ferry structure and once family home from Houston Street and use it for a starting foundation for his new home. In construction of the home, Allen Urquhart spared no expense. The wrap-around porch was constructed with marble floors and the house had stained glass windows in every room, and even in some of the gables of the house. The interior features spacious rooms, high ceilings and a dramatic staircase.
In subsequent years, the Urquhart House has been through many owners. In the 1980’s the roofline was expanded and a balcony was added on the front. It was referred to as the Urquhart House of Eleven Gables to emphasize the beautiful gables of the house and carriage house. In 2004, the owners enhanced the grounds with beautiful gardens featuring ponds and waterfalls.
The current owner, Kathleen Quan, has a passion for gardening and is bringing back the beautiful grounds of Urquhart house as well as the home. She cannot wait to share it with all who visit this years Candlelight Tour of Homes.