SOUTHAMPTON LANDMARK HOMES                

One hundred years ago Southampton was advertised as “The place where you’ll love to live”.  This article celebrates Southampton’s history of homes that have been landmarked. The City of Houston officially recognizes them for their outstanding historical, cultural, or architectural significance. They are as follows:

                                                    Lackner House                     2002 Bolsover- 1st Landmark

                                                    Caravella-Bazile                   2027 Sunset Blvd.

                                                    Ludwig                                 1932 Albans

                                                    Ward /Anderson                   1902 Sunset Blvd.

                                                    Wakeman                             1915 Albans- 1st Protected Landmark

The Houston Office of Preservation documents each home’s history at this site:      
                          https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/landmarks.html. 

What is particularly notable are the extraordinary stories and accomplishments of the women who settled here. Here are three brief highlights:

One settler was Laura Lackner of 2002 Bolsover.  She established her own realty company in 1929 with the sole purpose of selling and leasing the land she inherited from the Reinermann land grant.  The grant included over 4,000 acres in what is today inside the Northwest loop. The Eureka field was developed there in the 1930’s. The Hogg brothers had names for their leased wells and Mrs. Lackner named hers Laura Lackner No. 1, Laura Lackner No. 2, etc.  When she passed away in 1952, Laura left a modest home and an estate valued at $2 million.

The Hortense and William Ward/M.D. Anderson House at 1902 Sunset is known for the latter owner. Did you know the first owner was a champion of women's rights?  Hortense Ward was the first woman admitted to the Texas bar and the first woman in Harris County to register to vote. She married attorney William Henry Ward and practiced civil law with him.  Hortense did not appear in court, however, fearing her appearance might prejudice all-male juries. Hortense Ward was at one time vice president of the Woman Lawyers' Association, active in the Women's Advertising Club and Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Hortense Ward was called upon to campaign for various causes, traveling once to Maine to campaign against the Ku Klux Klan candidate for governor.

Last year the Wakeman House at 1915 Albans became our first Protected Landmark! The first owner was a single woman, Miss Eleanor Wakeman, who worked as a stenographer at the Remington and Underwood typewriter companies. Home ownership for an unmarried woman was a rare, notable occurrence then. This site is credited as an example of early feminist ideas in Houston. The owners of the land and house were women. As Houston moved into the twentieth century, it became a center for feminist organizing and included national women’s rights conferences. This lineage of property ownership by women shows Houston has a heritage of women asserting independence. When it was time to renovate, the current owners were determined to combine the historic charm of the 1920s four square house with a modern perspective. Their team at Brett Zamore Design included Jae Boggess.  Jae was the project manager and grew up in a bungalow at 1907 Albans. 

One of the challenges was to balance the old and new. Create a fresh modern feeling while maintaining the old floors and exterior appearance, but also make the house more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Another issue was the 1950s slab addition settling at a different rate from the original structure.  Consequently they replaced slab with a new addition built on a pier and beam foundation. The owners are very pleased to have been able to preserve a part of history while adding modern perspective. This landmarked property also qualified for historic tax exemptions.

When this article was first drafted, it was easy to think of homes in the context of just brick and mortar. It developed into something deeper which will forever remain, as brick and mortar crumbles and goes away. We don’t know what the future holds, but stories such as these make Southampton’s history a special part of Houston’s history …….and beyond.

Laura Lackner House  2002 Bolsover

Caravella-Bazile House  2027 Sunset Blvd.

Ludwig House 1932 Albans

Ward/Anderson House  1902 Sunset Blvd.

Eleanor Wakeman House 1915 Albans Rd.