Central Business District in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Thomas William House

(March 4, 1814 - January 17, 1880)

Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 30, 2017

1. Thomas William House Marker

Inscription. A native of Stoke St. Gregory in Somersetshire, England, T.W. House emigrated to the United States in May 1835. A baker by trade, he soon was employed by the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans. By 1838 he had moved to Houston and established the company of House and Loveridge, Bakers and Confectioners.

Destined to become one of Houston's most influential citizens, House soon expanded his business interests to include general merchandise, cotton brokerage, and banking. He helped organize the Houston and Galveston Navigation Company; promoted the city's first street railway; organized the Houston Gas Light Company; and was a director and stockholder in several railroad companies, including the Houston and Texas Central.

House was elected a city alderman in 1857 and 1861, and in 1862 became mayor of Houston. Eventually, his business empire grew to include properties in at least 63 Texas counties, the most notable being his sugar plantation near Arcola in Fort Bend County.

Married to Mary Elizabeth Shearn (1822-1870), House was the father of eight children, including Edward Mandell House (1858-1938), principal advisor to President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Thomas William House is buried in Houston's Glenwood Cemetery.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission

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. (Marker Number 10689.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list.

Location. 29° 45.671′ N, 95° 22.084′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is on Rusk Street east of Bagby Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in Tranquility Park in the section of the park that is north of Rusk Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Rusk Street, Houston TX 77002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1928 Democratic National Convention (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the National Women's Conference (about 500 feet away); Houston Public Library (about 800 feet away); Houston City, Republic of Texas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Julia Ideson Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Auditorium Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sam Houston Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pillot House (approx. � mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Also see . . . House, Thomas William - The Handbook of Texas Online

Photographed By Brian Anderson, October 31, 2018

2. Thomas William House Marker

. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on October 31, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2. submitted on October 31, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.