Huff-Park House

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of the Huff-Park House in Kaufman County. W. L.

Huff built this place in 1889, and for three years it stood as his own. Then, in 1892, a doctor by the name of J. W.

Park came along and bought it. And that house would be his for the rest of a very long life. Born in Texas, Park had his eyes set on medicine from early on.

He studied at Louisville Medical College over in Kentucky, and here's where the story gets interesting: doctors were scarce enough in those days that he was licensed in 1877, before he ever collected his degree. He went straight to work practicing medicine in Egypt, Texas, for two years; and then, only then, did he circle back to take that degree in 1880. A man who earned his education in reverse order, you might say, proving himself in the field before he ever held the paper.

He located in Kaufman, married Sallie Wiggins in 1883, and built a life. After Sallie's passing, he wed Lida Matilda Thompson. Together across those two marriages, he reared six children.

And that active practice he started in Kaufman? He kept at it. Kept at it through the seasons, through the decades, right up until the day before he died in 1941 (having been born back in 1855).

Some men retire. Dr. J.

W. Park just kept making his rounds. The house Huff built, the doctor filled with a lifetime.

What the marker says

Built 1889 by W. L. Huff; bought 1892 by Dr. J. W. Park (1855-1941). Born in Texas, Park studied at Louisville (Ky.) Medical College. As doctors were scarce, he was licensed in 1877, and practiced two years in Egypt (Tex.), then returned to take his degree in 1880. Locating in Kaufman, he engaged in active practice until the day before his death. He married Sallie Wiggins, 1883. After her death, wed Lida Matilda Thompson. Reared six children. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1971