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www.robertsoncounty.info |
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H I S T O R I C
C A L V E R T T O U R |
A Tour Of Places, Buildings, & Homes With Architectural & Historical Significance In The City Of Calvert
Additional Information About Historic Calvert Is Available At:
History Of Robertson County by James Walter
Baker,
Historical Recollections Of Robertson County
by Richard Denny Parker
If you have pictures of Robertson County, its towns, communities, rivers, streams, bridges, fields, cemeteries, houses, government buildings, businesses, farms, churches, farm machinery, crops, farm animals, wild animals, oil wells, gas wells, drilling platforms, cotton gins, bluebonnets, dogwood trees, or any other pictures which give glimpses of what life is like in Robertson County, please send them to William Kent Brunette. |
U N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N
The Calvert Chamber Of Commerce has an historical tour booklet that is sold at many Calvert merchants at nominal cost. Permission is being sought to feature this booklet with its maps and photos online here.
U. S. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AMERICAN MEMORY COLLECTION
The U. S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection contains five entries (46 different architectural drawings are currently online) relating to Calvert buildings or groups of buildings. These are as follows:
| Structure | Resources |
| 610 Main Street (Commercial Building), Calvert | 4 drawings |
| Gibson Gin Office & Weigh Station, Calvert | 6 drawings |
| Hammond House, 604 Elm St., Calvert | 11 drawings |
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Main Street, 400 - 700 Blocks (Commercial Buildings), Calvert Drawings 1 - 6, 7 - 12, 13 - 18, 19 - 25 |
25 drawings |
| Yelverton House, Calvert vicinity | 3 drawings (not yet digitized) |
1 HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
| Historic Courthouse | Location & Description |
| Former Robertson County Courthouse |
30 58 50 N / -96 40
12 W [bounded by Burnet, China, Elm, & Hanna Streets, Calvert] TopoZone Map |
2 National Register Of Historic Place listings
| National Register | Location & Description |
| Calvert Historic District | [bounded by Main [Hwy. 6], Garrett, Pin Oak, Maple, & Barton Streets, Calvert] - listed 4.3.1978, marker in front of the Barton Home, 409 Maple Street [30 59 02 N / -96 40 06 W] TopoZone Map |
| Hammond House |
30 58 50 N / -96 40 12 W [bounded by Burnet, China, Elm, & Hanna Streets, Calvert] - listed 10.28.1970 TopoZone Map |
TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC MARKERS
| Texas Historic Marker | Location & Description |
| Jacques Adoue Building |
30 58 45 N / -96 40 28 W [506 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Relic of colorful career of Jacques Adoue [1851 - 1906], youngest of three French brothers who came to Texas [1860s] to become Calvert, Dallas, and Galveston business leaders. Jacques Adoue owned numerous enterprises. This store, built in 1884 for Collat, Adoue, and Risser Dry Goods, set an ambitious style for the town. It was said by friends that Adoue's death, years later from injuries sustained in Calvert Compress fire, marked passing of an era." [#10897/1973] |
| Barton Home |
30 59 02 N / -96 40 06 W [409 Maple Street [Mitchell & Maple Streets], Calvert] TopoZone Map "After new home north of Calvert was destroyed by fire, Winnie Walker Burnitt Barton, widow of plantation owner Francis Davis Barton, built this structure in 1909. She intended the brick home with slate roof to withstand as many natural disasters as possible. Classical Revival in style, the house boasts colonnaded porches and balconies on three sides, 18-inch exterior walls, and 12-foot ceilings. The three Barton daughters hosted large house parties here." [#10902/1978] |
| Calvert |
30 58 42 N / -96 40 26 W [Main [Hwy. 6] & Burnet Streets, Calvert] TopoZone Map "Town Of Calvert. Swarming ox-carts and cotton wagons, busy stores and saloons, casino tables stacked with gold: this was early Calvert, a major cotton export and trade center. Community began as "Sterling," in Sterling C. Robertson colony of the 1820s. It was center of mustering and military supply activity in Civil War, 1861-1865. When Houston & Texas Central Railroad route was established here, 1868, town was moved 2 mi. to the right of way and renamed for Judge Robert Calvert, pioneer Texan, local landowner, benefactor, and civic leader-- a descendant of Lord Baltimore of Maryland." [#10905/1968] |
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Calvert Courthouse [also known as Hammond House] |
30 58 50 N / -96 40 12 W [bounded by Burnet, China, Elm, & Hanna Streets, Calvert] TopoZone Map "Former Calvert Courthouse. Most impressive public building in early Robertson County. After becoming county seat in 1870, Calvert lost many leaders in 1873 yellow fever epidemic. As planned, this courthouse was begun in 1875; but before its completion, Franklin was named county seat in 1879. Robert A. Brown, a merchant, investor, and planter, purchased this building in 1885. With help of his wife, Lucy Herndon Brown, he made it into a residence. In 1909, his heirs sold it to Mrs. Fannie L. Hammond, in whose family it remained until 1966, when it became a museum." [#10906/1968] |
| Calvert Foundry & Manufacturing Company |
30 58 45 N / -96 40 29 W [502 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Old Calvert Foundry & Manufacturing Company. Founded in 1870 as one of Calvert's first industries, the building is of country-made brick; iron facade came from St. Louis. Iron ore from local deposits and from Cherokee County [100 miles Northeast] was hauled here by horse-drawn wagons to be made into form tools and other sturdy articles. Prominent Texans have owned this foundry. J. Adoue, member of a French family noted in state business, was an incorporator." [#10907/1969] |
| Casimir Drugstore |
30 58 44 N /
-96 40 27 [512 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Sometime after 1869, Jean Pierre Casimir [died 1929], native of Toulouse, France, built this structure. His family operated drugstore here until 1949. A patio in the rear connected drugstore to the Palace Opera House, also owned and operated by the Casimir family." [#10910/1973] |
| Chinese Farmers |
30 58 41 N / -96 40 27 W [617 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Home Area Of Chinese Farmers. Imported from Asia about 1874 to help in cotton fields, these exotic workers were queues and attracted much notice. At least 24 families were brought here; many became permanent residents, respected for their good work. Over 25 ethnic groups settled in Texas-- many having preceded the Chinese. Other than American Indians, first permanent Texas settlers were cattle raisers from the Canary Islands. Other migrant groups included Cuban cigar makers and European lace makers. Given new opportunities, their descendants now are in industry, business, professions." [#10912/1968] |
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Church Of The
Epiphany
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30 58 47 N / -96 40 10 W [700 Gregg Street [corner Gregg & Elm], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Organized June 6, 1870, by Bishop Gregg. Oldest church edifice erected in Calvert. Has been used continuously since parish was founded. Fine wood scrollwork and lancet windows compliment the Victorian architecture." [#10913/1967] |
| Citizens Bank & Trust Company Building |
30 58 41 N / -96 40 25 W [620 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Built 1868 by James S. Hanna, for a general store. Owned 1870 - 1871 by a Battle of San Jacinto veteran, the Revered Robert Crawford. Bought 1872 by J. S. McLendon, whose store and private bank were housed in the structure. In 1887 this was site of founding, first National Bank of Calvert; later renamed Union State Bank; finally Citizens Bank & Trust. Exterior remains 1887 style." [#10914/1968] |
| Cobb's Market |
30 58 43 N / -96 40 29 W [515 Main Street [Hwy. 6], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Original meat market here in 1868 was remodeled into present Victorian building of handmade brick in 1878, by Mrs. Ella Oscar. Original fixtures still used include wood burning stove of cast iron, marble top counters, meat saw rack." [#10915/1967] |
| Elmo Baptist Church |
30 59 54 N / -96 37 29 W [near intersection of Hwy. 1644 & Elmo Road between Calvert & Franklin] TopoZone Map "Site Of Elmo Baptist Church. W. Cox started a Sunday School at the Elmo schoolhouse [125 ft. SE] in 1899. Later that year, with the help of the Rev. R. M. Crawford, a Baptist church was organized. A separate sanctuary was built in 1907 and Baptist ministerial students served the congregation as weekend pastors. The school consolidated with the Calvert District [3 mi. W] in the 1940s and the church building was moved adjacent to the schoolhouse. Despite the declining population of the area, members continued to worship here until 1969 when they merged with the First Baptist Church of Calvert." [Note: the old church has been converted into a house.] [#10920/1980] |
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First Baptist Church Of Calvert |
30 58 52 N / -96 40 15 W [corner Elm & Burnett, Calvert] TopoZone Map "As early as 1835, Baptists were worshipping in this area. In 1868, when Calvert was founded, Houston & Texas Central Railroad donated lots for a church. Until a brick edifice was built in 1873 on that land [at Hanna and Pine], services were held in a private residence. This church was host [1875] to Baptist State Convention; [1875, 1878] the State Sunday School Convention; [1912] Hood's Texas Brigade Reunion. Sent [1907] Alyne Guynes Muirhead and [1915] Sammie Guynes Johnson as missionaries to Brazil. Since 1947, sponsors Mexican mission. Elmo Baptist Church merged with Calvert, 1969." [#10921/1972] |
| First Presbyterian Church |
30 58 55 N / -96 40 22 W [401 N. Barton Street [corner Beech & Barton], Calvert] TopoZone Map "Built at Sterling before Civil War on land of Judge Robert Calvert, Texas legislator and descendant of Lord Baltimore [Maryland colonizer]. Stained glass in windows was imported. Other materials and labor were from Calvert's plantation. Calvert's heirs gave building to the church - then Cumberland Presbyterian. It was moved to Calvert in 1868, remodeled 1877, placed at this site 1913." [#10923/1967] |
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Dr. Benjamin Franklin Hammond |
30 58 53 N / -96 40 07 W [Calvert Cemetery] TopoZone Map "Prominent physician, planter, industrialist, political leader. As a man of wealth, came [1852] to Texas from Huntsville, Alabama, with family, slaves, cattle, horses, and ox-train of property. Bought extensive lands here. After Civil War, gave about 160 acres to each household of his ex-slaves, but carpetbaggers nevertheless put him in Calvert's tree prison. Married four times; had a son William Eli Hammond; two grandchildren." [#10928/1973] |
| Hammond |
31 05 43.7 N / -96 42 53.4 W [6 miles north of Calvert on Hwy. 6] TopoZone Map "Site Of Extinct Town Of Hammond. Dr. Benjamin Franklin Hammond moved here from Alabama in 1853 and built a plantation home about a mile to the west. Neighbors included James Love and Robert S. McCall. Hammond depot and post office were opened at this point on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad after the doctor granted right-of-way through his land in 1869. Near the depot, used by planters for their shipping, were a few stores. As the railroad declined, the town had vanished by 1950. Area residents are mostly the descendants of persons given land at emancipation [1865] by Dr. Hammond and other planters." [#10917/1976] |
| Harvey Massacre |
31 02 48.4 N / -96 42 37.8 W [5 miles north of Calvert on Hwy. 6] TopoZone Map "At this site one Sunday night in November 1836, the family of John Harvey was attacked by an Indian raiding party. Harvey, his wife, and son were all killed, Mrs. Harvey's blood staining the open pages of the family bible. Their daughter Ann Elizabeth, aged 5, and a servant girl were taken captive, later to be sold as slaves. The price of Ann Elizabeth was a few blankets. After four years in Mexico, Ann Elizabeth was recovered by her Uncle, James Talbot of Alabama. In 1848 she wed Sanders Briggs and in 1853 they moved to Texas where they built a home -- ironically -- near the site of the massacre." [#10918/1972] |
| S. M. Howard House |
30 58 44 N / -96 40 11 W [404 Gregg Street, Calvert] TopoZone Map "This Eastlake style cottage was constructed by Mrs. S. M. Howard [d. 1932] in 1897, one year after she purchased the property from her sister-in-law Mrs. E. C. Morse. The home's outstanding features include fish-scale shingling, a wide veranda with intricate gingerbread ornamentation, and interior woodwork detailing. Representative of Calvert at the turn of the century, the house remained in the Howard family until the 1940s." [#10931/1982] |
| Mistrot-Adoue House |
30 58 51 N / -96 40 23 W [303 Mitchell Street [Pine & Mitchell Streets], Calvert] TopoZone Map "This house was built in the 1870s by Henry B. Mistrot or Bertrand Adoue. Mistrot was a partner in business with Adoue's brother Jacques. The two-story residence features characteristics of the Greek revival and Victorian styles. The French influence of the owners is reflected in the use of fleur-de-lis patterns in the woodwork. A prominent area businessman, Jacques Adoue bought the home in 1888 and it remained in the family until 1977." [#10934/1980] |
| The Parish Carriage House |
30 58 51 N / -96 40 07 W [Hanna & Pin Oak Streets, Calvert] TopoZone Map "In 1892 wealthy merchant, cotton buyer, and banker L. H. Parish [1846-1924] and his wife Mattie bought this property. Soon they erected this carriage house with ornate Victorian styling to match their home. Plans for both structures came from the mail order catalogue of noted architect George Franklin Barber [1854-1915]. The first floor was designed to house the bay horses, elegant carriages and also a tack and feed room. The driver's living quarters were on the second floor. Incise in base: Sponsored by Walker R. Gray, Jr." [#10937/1980] |
| Randolph-Field Place |
30 58 47 N / -96 40 07 W [800 China Street, Calvert] TopoZone Map "One of Calvert's earliest houses, Greek Revival in style. Built about 1871 by George F. Randolph, local merchant, said to have been a kinsman of U. S. President Thomas Jefferson. Randolph and his bride, Lucy Garrett, lived here until he died in 1873 yellow fever epidemic. The widow married [1878] Scott Field, a rising statesman who in 1887-91 was a United States Congressman. House remained in the Field family until 1941." [#10938/1970] |
| Captain Henry Reed |
31 01 18 N / -96 36 02 W [Mount Vernon Cemetery, 6 miles east of Calvert] TopoZone Map "Participated in the Battle of San Jacinto and later in 1836 commanded a volunteer company. Born in Tennessee November 10, 1800; died November 11, 1854." [#10939/1936] |
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Sneed Memorial Methodist Church |
30 58 50 N / -96 40 20 W [Beech & Mitchell Streets, Calvert] TopoZone Map "This congregation, organized in 1869 as the Calvert Methodist Church, built its first sanctuary on this site in 1872. Among the early pastors were [1885 - 1886] the Reverend Seth Ward, later first native Texan to be named a Methodist bishop; and [1895 - 1899] the Reverend Dr. James Kilgore, a founder of Southern Methodist University. In 1923 when the present church building was erected, the name was changed in memory of the Reverend Joseph Perkins Sneed [1804 - 1881], a circuit rider who came to Texas in 1838, then served for many years in Robertson and Milam County churches." [#10947/1975] |
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Saint Paul Methodist Church |
30 58 51 N / -96 40 45 W [101 Pecan Street [corner Pecan & Hwy. 979], Calvert] TopoZone Map "This congregation organized in 1872 as St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, North. After their first church building burned, members of St. Paul moved quickly to replace it. Using salvageable material from the old sanctuary as well as new materials, noted area carpenter and church member Charlie Terrill completed this building in 1900. Since that time it has served as a place of worship for the congregation and as a center for community activities. Members hosted the West Texas Annual Methodist Conference here in 1913. A fine example of the Gothic Revival style, St. Paul church features a central tower, pointed-arch windows and fish-scale shingles on the gables." [#12590/2001] |
| Spikner High School |
30 58 18 N / -96 40 50
W [Calvert -- Not Yet Placed] TopoZone Map "Inscription Unknown" [?/2003] |
| Sterling Cemetery |
30 59 05 N / -96 42 26 W [two miles west of Calvert on FM 979 to CR 116] TopoZone Map This cemetery is on private property and is not easily accessible. A fenced-in area is visible from the road where a handful of tombstones remain. This is only a small portion of the cemetery. Other markers can be found on several acres in the surrounding fields which are now somebody's pasture. "Burial place of some 400 Texas pioneers and descendants. On land granted [1835] to A. J. Webb; bought in 1850 by Judge Robert Calvert, a civic leader in Sterling, a town named for empresario Sterling C. Robertson. Calvert dedicated 11.1-acre cemetery and built adjacent Cumberland Presbyterian Church of his own plantation timber. In 1867, Judge Calvert died and was buried near cemetery gate. The church building was moved by oxen to new town of Calvert [2 mi. E]. In 1868, his wife, Mary Keesee Calvert, and their three daughters deeded cemetery site to the Cumberland Presbyterians." [#10950/1973] [see Sterling Cemetery] |
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Stricker-Sneed House
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30 58 57 N / -96 40 12 W [503 Pin Oak Street, Calvert] TopoZone Map "Victorian house built in 1900 by Herman L. and Katy Stricker, business, civic, social leaders. Stricker was a jeweler; his wife, daughter of Confederate General William H. Hamman. Mrs. Stricker led in movement to erect League of Women's meeting house, now the Calvert Library building. In 1913, banker H. Marvin Sneed and his wife Cara [Weber] bought the house; their heirs sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Kimbrough Gray, 1970." [#10951/1973] [see Pin Oak Bed & Breakfast] |
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Virginia
Field Park
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30 58 59 N / -96 40 08 W [Burnett Street between Pin Oak & Maple, Calvert] TopoZone Map "Land given to Calvert 1868 for use as a park by the Houston & Texas Central Railroad. Co C. 4th Texas Infantry Regiment, Hood's Texas Brigade, under Major William Townsend, mustered nearby in 1865. Was site during Reconstruction, 1868 - 1873, of 'Sky Parlor' [room built on pole, as a tree house] to serve as prison for Southern sympathizers. In 1895 and 1912, Hood's Texas Brigade Association entertained here. The Victorian pavilion and two gazebos were built 1895 for concerts, gatherings, and dancing. The park was named in 1937 for landscaper, Mrs. Virginia Field." [#10954/1968] |
TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEYS
The Texas Historical Commission's Texas Historic Sites Atlas [http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us] includes a Neighborhood Surveys section that contains information about buildings and structures of historical and architectural significance. A large number of buildings in Calvert are listed in this atlas. A summary listing of these appears below.
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407 Browning Street - Calvert 701 Main Street - Calvert 703 Main Street - Calvert 712 Main Street - Calvert Abrams-Allday House - Calvert Antique Store (606); Barber Shop (608) - Calvert B. Cuzzeri Building - Calvert Battle - Sigler House - Calvert Bicker Cain House - Calvert Calvert Historic District - Calvert Calvert Hotel - Calvert Catholic Church - Calvert Charles Woodson House - Calvert Church of the Epiphany - Calvert City Hall - Calvert Clara Barton House - Calvert Collatt-Hacks House - Calvert Commercial Buildings - Calvert Commercial Structure - Calvert Commercial Structure - Calvert Commercial Structure - Calvert Commercial Structure - Calvert Commercial Structure - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Commercial Structures - Calvert Conitz House - Calvert Cooper-Allen-Dowell House - Calvert Dobkins Hotel - Calvert Dr. Briscoe Cain House - Calvert Drennan-Burnitt House - Calvert Drennan-Field-Doremus House - Calvert Duncan-Gunn House - Calvert Dunn House - Calvert Episcopal Parsonage - Calvert Fanny R. Jones House - Calvert Faulkner-Proctor-Casey House - Calvert First Presbyterian Church - Calvert Foster House - Calvert Gibson House - Calvert Gray's Antiques - lower floor; Hazels Flower & Dress Shop - Calvert Independent Missionary Baptist - Calvert Jaques Adoue Building - Calvert Joe Foster-Johnson House - Calvert Jones House - Calvert Julius Bedach House - Calvert Katy Hammond Stricker Library - Calvert Kirsh House - Calvert Knowles House - Calvert Lauderdale - Pietsch House - Calvert Lone Star Beer Warehouse - Calvert Marquess-Briggs - Calvert Marx House - Calvert Methodist Parsonage - Calvert Mistrot-Adoue-McCrary House - Calvert Old Calvert Foundry - Calvert Oscar Building - Calvert Oscar Building - Calvert Oscar House - Calvert Orvitz-Burns House - Calvert Oxsheer Cobb House (Dr. Fancher Home; Presbyterian Manse - Calvert Proctor House - Calvert |
R. W. Burnitt House - Calvert Randolph-Field House - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Residence - Calvert Robertson County Historical Museum/ Salter Farm (Woodall) - Rural Salter-Connitz House - Calvert Seymour-Garrett House - Calvert Sneed Memorial Methodist Church - Calvert St. Paul M. E. Church - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Structure - Calvert Stricker-Sneed-Gray House - Calvert Vacant - Calvert Vacant - Storage - Calvert Virginia Field Park Gazebo - Calvert W. H. Anderson Home - Calvert Weigh Station - Calvert
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHS OF CALVERT
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Thumnail |
Feature |
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When H&TC Railroad by-passed nearby Sterling in 1868, Calvert became a bustling railhead. Antique and other shops line Calvert's Main Street. |
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"Mass Transit" in downtown Calvert. |
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Karen Wiese Memorial Pavilion in Virginia Field Park in Calvert. This Victorian pavilion & two gazebos were built in 1895 for concerts, dances, & other events. Park covers a city block. |
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Katy Hamman Stricker Library in Calvert. |
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The historic Stricker-Sneed house is now home to the Pin Oak Bed & Breakfast in Calvert. |
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Built in 1897, the plans of the Queen Anne" house in Calvert were ordered through a mail-order catalog from George F. Barber in Knoxville, TN. |
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Queen Anne cottage in Calvert. |
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Episcopal Church Of The Epiphany in Calvert. |
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The "Yellow House" in Calvert. |
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