Lindsey House

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Up in Nacogdoches, the hills have a way of showing who's arrived. Back in the 1890s, the affluent families of town caught on to that fact, and they started building spacious homes in the area overlooking Nacogdoches, claiming the high ground, the good views, and no small amount of bragging rights.

By the turn of the century, that hillside was becoming something to see. Then came 1901, and Robert and Emily Lindsey decided it was their turn. Robert and Emily, she was born a Willis, were local dry goods merchants.

But here's what sets them apart in the telling: they were noted for their contributions to the arts in Nacogdoches. Not just commerce. Not just commerce and comfort.

The arts. So when they commissioned their prominent hilltop Victorian residence, they weren't going to hand the job to just anyone. They brought in Dietrich A.

W. Rulfs, a noted local architect who had already designed many of the area's grand residences. A man with a reputation and a pencil that knew how to earn it.

What Rulfs drew up and the Lindseys built became a landmark on that hill, a Victorian residence that announced itself. The house stayed in the Lindsey family for decades, right up until 1945. Then, in 1953, it was significantly enlarged.

New hands, bigger footprint, same commanding hilltop. That house has been looking down on Nacogdoches for well over a century now, and if you ask me, it still looks like it knows exactly what it is.

What the marker says

Affluent families of Nacogdoches began building spacious homes in this area overlooking the town in the 1890s. Robert and Emily (Willis) Lindsey, local dry goods merchants noted for their contributions to the arts in Nacogdoches, built this prominent hilltop Victorian residence in 1901. It was designed by noted local architect Dietrich A. W. Rulfs, who designed many of the area's grand residences. The house, which remained in the Lindsey family until 1945, was significantly enlarged in 1953. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1995