Senator James H. Woods Home

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. In Corsicana, Navarro County, there stands a house that was built in 1900 out of long leaf pine lumber, and if you look close at that entryway, you'll find it paneled in beveled, leaded plate glass. Now that alone is something.

But hold on, because the attic, the attic of this house had a skating rink and a gymnasium in it. A skating rink. In the attic.

Whatever else you want to say about Senator James H. Woods, the man knew how to raise children. James H.

Woods was born in 1858, and he came to Corsicana from Tennessee in 1873. He became a lawyer. He served as city councilman, as mayor, as commissioner of the fire department, as director of the public library, as school trustee.

The man didn't sit still. Then he went to the state level, serving as State Representative from 1911 to 1919, and then as State Senator from 1919 to 1923. Senator Woods and his family occupied that long leaf pine house from 1900 to 1931.

When the Senator passed in 1931, his son carried on, living there through 1939. The house was later restored by Mr. and Mrs. Allen Edens, Jr., in 1963.

A skating rink in the attic. Built to last, and it did.

What the marker says

Built 1900 of long leaf pine lumber. Entry paneled in beveled, leaded plate glass. Children had skating rink and gym in attic. Occupied by Senator Woods and family, 1900-1931; by son, 1931-1939. Senator Woods (1858-1931) came to Corsicana from Tennessee, 1873. Became a lawyer; served as city councilman, mayor, commissioner of fire department, director of public library, school trustee. Was State Representative, 1911 to 1919; State Senator, 1919-1923. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967 Restored by Mr. and Mrs. Allen Edens, Jr., 1963