DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the Ferguson Home in Bell County. Pull up a chair — this one's got more history per square foot than most houses twice its size. In 1907, a home was built for James E. and Miriam A.
Ferguson. Now that alone might not raise your eyebrows. But what happened to this family over the next few decades — that's the part worth slowing down for.
This house, this one right here, served as the family home right up until Jim Ferguson became Governor in 1915. And then, a stretch later, from 1917 to 1925, the family called it home again. Two different eras.
Same front porch. You might think that's the whole story. It is not.
Jim Ferguson was elected twice to the governor's office. Two times. But here's where the tale takes a turn that nobody in Texas political history had ever seen before — and nobody anywhere had seen it either.
Miriam A. Ferguson, his wife, was also elected governor of Texas. Twice.
And when she was first inaugurated in 1925, she became the first woman elected Governor in any state in the nation. Not just Texas. Any state.
The marker doesn't fuss over it, but you ought to let that land for a moment. During the Fergusons' terms, two things rose to great importance in Texas — the Texas Highway Department and the public schools. A family, a house built in 1907, and a chapter of Texas history that rewrote what was possible.
That's the Ferguson Home.
What the marker says
Built 1907 for James E. and Miriam A. Ferguson, each later elected twice to governor's office in Texas. Mrs. Ferguson was the first woman elected Governor in any state. During their terms the Texas Highway Department and public schools achieved great importance. This was family home until Jim Ferguson became Governor in 1915, and again from 1917 to 1925, when Mrs. Ferguson was first inaugurated. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967