|
 |
|
Barker-Huebinger House marker to be dedicated in 2010
 Emory and Leah Barker built this rock house in 1871. Known as the Barker-Huebinger House, it has been designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; the historical-marker dedication will be one of the Wilson County Sesquicentennial events in 2010.
 |
Disclaimer:
The author of this entry is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com. |
Shirley Grammer, John Grammer
Wilson County Historical Society
June 9, 2009
1 comment
Alabama natives Emory Crawford Barker (1839-1914) was the son of Edmond Asa Barker and Talitha Humphreys Barker. Leah Humphreys (1842-1931) was the daughter of James Humphreys and Leah Harriet Maddox Humphreys. Emory and Leah came to this area of Texas in the early 1850s.
During the Civil War, Emory was mustered into Terry’s Texas Rangers, Company G, on Sept. 16, 1861. He was discharged in December of that year due to illness. He rejoined his regiment in July 1862 and was discharged again in January 1863. He was a farmer and rancher.
Emory and Leah were married Oct. 4, 1866, by the Rev. R.M. Currie of La Vernia. Seven children were born to this union: Elizabeth Anne (Cureton), Harriet (Handley), Emma (Shahan), Edmund Asa, James Humphreys, Cedonia May (Morgan) and Sara Jane (Tunnell).
In 1869, Emory and Leah purchased a 260-acre tract of land in Guadalupe County (present-day Wilson County) from Dr. Gray Jones Houston, attorney in fact for Pugh and Lucinda Houston of Alabama, for a total sum of $1,042.
Emory and Leah built their rock house in 1871, the date being established through a deed dated Nov. 10, 1871, when Leah donated 1-1/3 acres of land for a school in her neighborhood. The recipients of the donation were school trustees Samuel McClain, W.F. Gardner, and Asa Murray. These men lived adjacent to the Barkers in the area now called “Pleasant Hill.”
In Leah’s deed to the school, she states, “I am in the process of building my rock house.” It is one of the few remaining rock houses in the Cibolo Valley. The sandstone used in the construction of the house was sawed, rather than being chipped or broken as was more common in those days. It is the same stone used in the construction of the Brahan Masonic Lodge in La Vernia, which was built in the same time frame.
The homestead features an outbuilding and well. The stone outbuilding includes a fireplace and a stone nicho, a special place built for religious icons or statues. The well is lined with stones similar to those used in the main house.
Emory and Leah sold the home in 1878 to F.M. Butler for $2,900 and moved to Blanco County. The home changed ownership a number of times until 1916, when Rudolph and Adelia Huebinger of Marion acquired the homestead. Ralph Huebinger of La Vernia inherited the homestead after the death of his father in 1952.
Michael and Shirley Huebinger of New Braunfels, the home’s present owners, inherited the house in 2000. The home has remained in the Huebinger family for approximately 83 years.
In 2008, the house was designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; a historical marker will be dedicated during Wilson County’s Sesquicentennial in 2010.
Preservation Texas selected the home in 2008 as one of 13 sites on Texas’ Most Endangered Places list. Preservation Texas works to save historic structures by creating public awareness of their importance to a community.
Sesquicentennial Committee members are LaJuana Newnam-Leus, 830-393-2166; Shirley and John Grammer, 830-947-3176; Maurine Liles, 830-393-4959; and Gene Maeckel, 830-484-2536.
The Sesquicentennial Committee is organizing celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Wilson County. Anyone interested in helping with one of the celebration committees is invited to contact one of these individuals. |
| |
| « Previous Blog Entry (June 8, 2009) |
| |
| Your Opinions and Comments |
Lois
Floresville
June 10, 2009 4:49am
|
|
|
Share your comment or opinion on this story!
You must be logged in to post comments:
|
| Other Wilson County Sesquicentennial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
