College Station’s oldest residential development is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a Southside Historic Neighborhood Home Tour on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour will feature both homes that are available to walk-in and walk-by.
Parking information
Tour guests may use street parking throughout the Southside Historic Neighborhood, or the Barbara Bush Parent Center parking lots located at 1200 George Bush Drive.
Please be mindful of no parking zones and areas; parking in or blocking entrance to a residential driveway is prohibited. Parking is limited to one side of each street, alternating depending upon location. There is no street parking available on Dexter Drive. A limited number of handicap parking spaces for the MOBILITY impaired will be available at each home; however please note that these are privately owned homes with interior and exterior steps and levels, and are not conducive to wheelchairs. No parking will be permitted at area church lots due to another event scheduled.
Tickets
Tickets are available for $20 per person in advance or can be purchased the day of the event for $25. Students can receive a discounted rate of $10 with a valid student ID; though these tickets are only available on the day of the event.
ALL guests, including those with pre-purchased tickets, must check in at Brison Park, west side along West Dexter Drive, or at the Barbara Bush Parent Center to receive a wristband and tour booklet BEFORE proceeding to various homes. A printed or mobile receipt is needed to receive a wristband, or tickets may be purchased at the park.
To learn more information about the Southside Historic Neighborhood Home Tour, visit www.southsidehometour.com.
Learn more about the homes
200 Lee Street
This two-story brick home, built in 1937 by William McCann Sparks, graduate of Texas A&M and co-owner of Casey-Sparks Confectionery on the A&M campus and also owner of Aggieland Pharmacy until 1952, was sold in 1941 to C.H. Winkler, Head of the newly established Department of Psychology, formerly Dean of the School of Vocational Teaching and Head of the Department of Agricultural Education. Dr. Winkler, like many other faculty, purchased this home in the surrounding campus area when Texas A&M decided to no longer provide housing for faculty members on campus due to rising maintenance costs and newly available housing options nearby. After the Winklers' five children had grown and moved on, the Winklers rented several guest rooms to visiting young women, who came for dances and events on campus, a common practice in A&M’s history. Although additions and renovations to the home have been made over the years and will be addressed during the tour, original architectural features such as the coved ceilings in the dining room still provide links to its past.
305 Dexter Drive
Known as the Clark-Arth Home, 305 Dexter Drive was one of the original homes built by a founding development company partner, Dr. Floyd B. Clark, Head of the Department of Economics. Built in 1924, the house is Northern Gothic Design with a steep roof and many gables and dorm windows providing a New England look similar to Hawthorne’s “House of Seven Gables." Six inch pine floors, also found in the Governor's mansion in Austin, have been restored to their original beauty. Two fireplaces grace the interior of the home — one in the living room and one in in the large bedroom directly above — both of which were designed for coal, smaller than typical wood burning fireplaces. The home has recently undergone additional renovations by its current owner, Laura Arth, who has beautifully restored the home in keeping with its historical significance, which includes several preserved furniture pieces intermingled with her collection of antiques.
510 Ayrshire | 601 Bell Street
Two side-by-side historical homes, the first built in 1946 and the second in 1958, have recently been renovated into a unique two-structure home, keeping original architectural touches found in each including the original hardwood floors and adding vintage touches like Canadian hardwood beams and old Chicago and NOLA bricks. A noted early owner of 510 Ayrshire was Olin Earl “Tiger” Teague ‘32 who was a World War II veteran, participating in the D-Day invasion in Normandy. Mr. Teague also served 32 years from 1946-1978 as the congressional representative for Texas’ 6th Congressional District and was recognized as the veterans' champion, authoring more veterans’ legislation than any congressman before him.
Additional Homes
Six additional homes along the walking path will be highlighted with talking signs, which will tell the homes' stories, including historical significance and founding details. Most of these homes were moved from campus between 1940-1972 when Texas A&M ceased to provide housing to faculty members and began demolishing or selling existing campus residences. Additionally, the talking signs will give nods to the Southside neighborhood development and history, and the evolution of the many live oaks and pecans that still grace the neighborhood today.
Information Courtesy of Southside Historic Neighborhood Home Tour
