Weatherford Mansion Several Prominent Citizens Called Home Up for Sale

Only four families have owned the Victorian mansion on an acre at the corner of Lamar Street and Columbia Street in Weatherford, and now some history-loving buyer will be the fifth.

The home, which sits at 304 S Lamar St., was first home to John D. Baker, a prominent Weatherford resident who started construction on the home intended for he and his wife, Alice, and their growing family, in 1893.

Baker, according to family lore, moved to Hood County from Alabama before finally settling in Weatherford and partnering with another businessman to form Baker-Poston Dry Goods, which ultimately had several store locations in the north central part of Texas.

But the dry goods enterprise wasn’t his only business. He was also head of The Famous Shoe Store; a member of the wholesale grocery company Cameron, Hill and Baker; president of the First National Bank; director of the Crystal Palace Flouring Mills; and had a hand in helping establish Weatherford College.

But alas, Baker wouldn’t live to see the home completed. He died in 1899, and the home was completed in 1904, and purchased in the early 1900s by attorney Preston Martin and his violin-teacher wife, Juanita. Their daughters, Geraldine and Mary, loved the stables and the orchard near the home.

Mary, of course, went on to become a star on the Broadway stage, and was also the mother of J.R. Ewing himself, Larry Hagman.

Nowadays, the home may not sit near orchards and have stables, but it’s still a grand presence among Weatherford’s Victorian mansions, having been well-maintained and carefully updated when needed through the years.

“It has the original inlaid floors, shutters, pocket doors, and all intricate fretwork is original as well as light fixtures and seven original fireplaces,” said listing agent Jamie Bodiford of Century 21 Judge Fite.

The five-bedroom, three bath home also has a 1,200 square foot guest house, and a bathhouse for the gunite pool. It also has a Texas rarity — a full basement.

Upstairs, the home has a game room, two bedrooms, and a full bath.

A circle drive, gated backyard driveway, two-car detached garage, and covered parking for four means any buyer will have plenty of room for guests inside and out.

The 6,840 square foot home is listed for $980,000.