Kone-Yarbrough House

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, in my own words. Now, most houses just sit there. But every now and then you pass one that has a story stitched right into the woodwork, and this Victorian residence on the Hays County landscape is exactly that kind of place.

Built in 1886 for Sam R. Kone, Jr., born in 1855, this home went up to accommodate a growing family, and growing it was. Sam and his wife Laura would eventually raise six children under that roof.

What makes the house distinctive right off is the chimney, not tucked to one side the way you might expect, but set dead center, an unusual choice that gives the whole structure its own particular character. Sam himself was no small figure in the community. Successful merchant, active Mason, and a member of the San Marcos City Council from 1914 to 1915.

A man with his hand in the life of his town. Laura, born in 1859, came to the marriage with her own accomplishments already behind her. She had taught art at Coronal Institute before she became Mrs.

Kone, and you get the sense that this was a household where learning was simply in the air. That sense gets confirmed when you look at what became of the children. One of those six, Florence Kone, born in 1883, became an educator, and here is the detail that makes you stop and think.

Florence lived in that house for eighty years. Eighty years in one home, watching San Marcos change around her, the town growing up while she remained a constant inside those walls. She was born in 1883 and lived until 1971.

The house outlasted its founders and held on to its people. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert A.

Yarbrough, Jr., also owned, occupied, and preserved the home, carrying forward what the Kones had built. A central chimney, six children, eighty years under one roof. Some houses just stand there.

This one stayed.

What the marker says

This Victorian residence with its unusual central chimney was erected in 1886 for the growing family of Sam R. Kone, Jr. (1855-1941), a successful merchant, active Mason, and member of the San Marcos City Council, 1914-15. His wife Laura (Smith) (1859-1937) taught art at Coronal Institute before her marriage. Educator florence Kone (1883-1971), one of six Kone children, lived here 80 years. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert a. Yarbrough, Jr., also owned, occupied, and preserved the home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977