Originally shared by Photos by Tom, Nov. 3, 2017
Colonel George Washington Rogers Home / Oldest Home in Huntsville
In my hometown, the oldest home is that of Colonel George Washington Rogers, built in 1844-45 (while Texas was still a Republic) at what is now 1418 University Ave. Col. Rogers, son of Colonel Micajah Clack Rogers, Huntsville's first mayor, was a Mexican-American War hero under Captain James Gillaspie. (His name is inscribed in the Gillaspie monument located across the street from Sam Houston's grave.) Although a successful battle, Col. Rogers was wounded in the September 21-24, 1846 Battle of Monterrey where he lay all night on the battlefield during an ice storm. He contracted tuberculosis. In 1844, Colonel Rogers had purchased a huge sum of land (200, 250, or 600 acres, depending on the source) adjacent to Sam Houston's property from Huntsville's founder, Pleasant and Hannah Gray. The home was completed the following year. His illness and recovery, however, pushed back plans to marry Lucinda Benson Gibbs and to move into their home until 1848. Once settled, the Rogers were considered the wealthiest couple in Huntsville. Their home, which was the finest of its time, was the site of many social events and entertained the elite. The southeast wing of the home was a fine ballroom. The Rogers home originally stood on a magnificent five-acre hill that is the current site of the Austin College Building at Sam Houston State University. When Sam Houston and Huntsville residents had hoped Huntsville would be chosen for the state capital, Col. Rogers relocated his home to its current location and offered the five-acre hill that became known as "Capital Hill" to be used for the location of the new capital building. When Austin was chosen for the capital, "Capital Hill" then became the site of the Austin College.
Col. Rogers served as Huntsville's first treasurer. He died in 1864, at just 44 years of age, in Cotton Gin, TX in Freestone County. Two years later, his remains were relocated to his birth town of Mt. Lebanon, LA. Mrs. Rogers died in 1884 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville. The Rogers Home went on to serve as the President's Mansion for Dr. Rufus Bailey, the third president of Austin College. It was also the home of H. H. Smith, the second president of Sam Houston Normal Institute. This and numerous other homes, now, belong to George Russell who has led an effort in Huntsville, for years, to preserve homes such as this and their history.
RELATED LINKS
Barbara Rogers March 15, 2015 blog on Col. Rogers including his photo:
Oct. 15, 2013 Huntsville Item article titled, "Historic Homes May Become Landmarks": http://www.itemonline.com/.../article_7f2352d6-ee66-5065...
Jan. 4, 1997 Huntsville Item article titled, "Early Mayor's Descendent Presents Pictures":
November 3, 2017
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