Edward R. Sinks House

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Edward R. Sinks House in Lee County. Now settle in, because this one house held more Texas history than most courthouses.

Built around 1890, it's what they call an American four-square, with an offset entry, and it stood as the home of Edward R. Sinks, known as Ed, born in 1854 and gone in 1936. But to understand Ed, you have to understand where he came from.

His father was George Washington Sinks, born in 1812, and his mother was Julia Lee Sinks, born in 1817. And friend, those were not ordinary people. George and Julia were both friends of Sam Houston.

Let that one sit a moment. Friends of Sam Houston. George wasn't just any pioneer either.

He served as the first chief clerk of the Republic of Texas Postal System. The Republic itself, before Texas was even a state. Julia, for her part, was an avid amateur historian, a charter member of the Texas State Historical Association, and rose to serve as its vice president, among other roles.

George passed in 1892, Julia in 1904, and during their elder years, they lived right here in this house with their son Ed. Now Ed. Ed Sinks was an attorney.

He became a founding director of the first bank in Lee County. And then, as if that weren't enough, he became Lee County's first state district judge, serving from 1893 all the way to 1916. Later still, he served as state representative for Lee, Milam, and Burleson Counties, from 1925 to 1929.

Three generations, one house, and enough firsts to fill a courthouse wall. That four-square with the offset entry wasn't just a home. It was where Texas kept showing up.

What the marker says

Built around 1890, this American four-square house with offset entry was the home of Edward "Ed" R. Sinks (1854-1936), son of George Washington Sinks (1812-1892) and Julia Lee Sinks (1817-1904). George and Julia, both friends of Sam Houston, were prominent pioneers. George was first chief clerk of the Republic of Texas Postal System and Julia was an avid amateur historian. She was a charter member, vice president and more of the Texas State Historical Association. They lived here during their elder years with Ed, an attorney and founding director of the first bank in Lee County. Ed was Lee County's first state district judge from 1893 to 1916 and later became state representative for Lee, Milam and Burleson Counties from 1925 to 1929. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2017