This residence was built during the 1860s for newspaper editor Thomas Jefferson Chambers (1840-1929), the nephew and namesake of Texas colonial leader T. J. Chambers (1802-1865). The younger Chambers was a native Virginian and Confederate veteran. He served as state representative, justice of the peace, city councilman, and mayor. The shape of the "octagon house", with its central chimney, has been altered by remodeling. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978