The Turner House

Duane's take

Well, here's my tellin' of what the official marker has to say about the Turner House, out in Coleman County. Now, somebody built this place in 1886. An attorney, come all the way from Mississippi, and he didn't build anything modest.

No, he built in the Colonial style, the kind of architecture that carries a certain weight to it, a certain intention. Eight rooms. That's not a small house.

That's a statement. But here's the thing about statements in Texas. Sometimes somebody else comes along and decides to make a bigger one.

In 1903, a rancher and oilman by the name of Fred W. Turner purchased the house. And Fred Turner, well, he looked at those eight rooms and apparently saw potential the original builder hadn't fully explored.

Because after that purchase, the house grew. From eight rooms to twelve. Four more rooms added on, stretching that Colonial frame out like a man settlin' deeper into a comfortable chair.

And once you've got twelve rooms done up in Colonial style out on the Texas range, people tend to find reasons to visit. The Turner House became a gathering place for the social and business leaders of the area. Deals struck, news traded, handshakes given across a good table.

That's the kind of house it was. Started by a Mississippi attorney in 1886, finished into something larger by a rancher and oilman who clearly wasn't done yet.

What the marker says

Built 1886 by an attorney from Mississippi. Colonial architecture. House was enlarged from 8 to 12 rooms after 1903 purchase by Fred W. Turner, rancher and oilman. This was gathering place for area social and business leaders. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968