Wright-Henderson-Duncan House

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's what this old stone house has to say for itself. Now, most homes get passed down through families, or sold off to strangers with no particular story attached. But the Wright-Henderson-Duncan House in Hood County, this one kept finding its way into the hands of lawmen.

Three principal owners. Three sheriffs of Hood County. You start to wonder if the house had a type.

A.J. Wright was the first of them, born in 1819, and around 1873 he started raising a limestone structure: one story, dogtrot style, the kind of dwelling that lets the Texas wind cut right through the middle and cool both sides. Wright lived until 1889, so he had some years with that house.

Then, in 1881, James F. Henderson acquired it. And Henderson, well, he apparently looked at that solid one-story limestone and thought we can do better.

He added a second floor. He put up Victorian galleries. That dogtrot dwelling Wright had built got itself a whole new silhouette against the Hood County sky.

Then came Charles M. Duncan, born 1878, died 1957, and his wife Emma (Emma Wade Duncan) and together they held onto this place for a long period into the twentieth century. While they were at it, they helped preserve it.

Three sheriffs. One house. Each one left his mark on it: Wright in limestone and foundation, Henderson in height and flourish, the Duncans in the simple, stubborn act of keeping it standing.

That house has been in the care of the law for a good long while. Seems like it earned it.

What the marker says

The three principal owners of this home each served terms as sheriff of Hood county. A.J. Wright (1819-1889) began the limestone structure about 1873 as a one story dogtrot dwelling. James F. Henderson, who acquired the house in 1881, added the second floor and victorian galleries. Charles M. Duncan (1878-1957) and his wife Emma (Wade), owners for a long period in the 20th century, helped preserve the residence.