Mrs. Giles (Frances Dougherty) Houston, one of the heirs to a Cooke County fortune, built this magnificent example of frontier Victorian architecture in 1898. J. G. Garrett (1858-1919), a local man credited with the plans for many fine Gainesville structures, served as architect. Contractor was W. J. Snelling. Walls are solid brick. There are twelve rooms with nine fireplaces. Oak, cherry, and birds'-eye maple woods embellish the interiors. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966.