‘If walls could talk’ | Historic Sheriff’s House now up for sale

One of Hood County’s oldest homes is now on the market and ready to be sold.

Located at the northwest corner of Highways 144 and 377 at 703 Spring St., the Sheriff's House is a true piece of Texas history.

The Wright-Henderson-Duncan House — or Sheriff’s House — was named after three Hood County sheriffs: A. J. Wright, J. F. Henderson, and C. M. Duncan.

Construction of the original structure first began in 1873 by a well-known local builder, William Trawick, who designed the home with limestone that was quarried locally in Hood County.

“The home was built in 1873, which I think was 18 years before the courthouse was even built,” said Stuart Chinworth, local realtor and listing agent on the home. “I don't know a lot of homes in Hood County that are older than this that are still standing.”

According to the National Register of Historic Places, the home was first built as a “two-room dog trot,” which originally consisted of a one-story structure with two large rooms separated by an open breezeway or dog trot.

Remodeling of the home occurred in the 1890s and “considerably altered and enlarged the home,” according to NRHP. The property changed hands in 1891 and the new owner, Henderson, added a second story in the “same hand-hewn limestone,” which is “distinguishable from the earlier construction by lighter-colored mortar,” — a difference that can still be seen on the home to this day.

The two-story three bed, three-and-a-half bath home currently measures a total of 4,794 square feet — a 3,694 square foot main home, and an 1,100 square foot guest suite called The Carriage House, which features a large living room and refreshment area with a large bedroom and ensuite.

Following several renovations and alterations throughout the years, the Sheriff’s House now consists of its own unique design, combining the appeals of both modern and antique stylings inside the home.

“It's filled with antiques and some of the original furniture is still on the property and will be conveying with the sale of the home just to keep all that history intact,” Chinworth explained.

The home features many historical items and furniture, like the dining room table that was “hand built.”

“Back in the day, when they built these dining room tables, they built each chair to fit the individual who was sitting in it,” said Chelsea Chinworth, Stuart’s wife. “One is a little taller, one is a little shorter, and one has a taller back on it, so you can tell which chairs were meant for the children and which chairs were meant for the adults. Each chair is just a little bit different.”

Stuart said many of the antiques were imported from Wales, adding that old maps, historical paintings, handwritten notes and even a personal brand are also featured throughout the home.

“In the main home, there are three-bedroom suites, and each suite is named after one of the sheriffs, so that's kind of a neat feature,” he said.

A unique aspect of the home, Stuart said, are rings that were built into the side of the house that were used to chain up prisoners.

"What we have been told is that apparently when the jail was filled up, they would just chain (inmates) up right outside the Sheriff's House until there was room in the actual jail — or maybe until they sobered up. This is one of those (homes) where if walls could talk, we'd have a ton to write about,” Stuart said.

At one time, the home was owned by local resident and architect Brian Gaffin, who ran his architecture firm out of the Sheriff’s House.

“I know that he did a lot of work to the property,” Stuart said. “And I think that having an architect as the homeowner for a handful of years was absolutely beneficial because he went in and helped ensure that a lot of the details of the home were captured and preserved so they don't get lost as other owners take over the property.”

Gaffin later sold the home to a couple who were “major history and antique lovers,” who later ended up selling the home to Stuart’s current client.

“We got some things cleaned up with the city so it can operate and host as a bed and breakfast,” he explained. “The fact that it's also zoned as commercial is also a major benefit, because it just gives the next owner a lot of options on how to use the property, showcase the home, and how they can share it with others.”

The Sheriff’s House was listed for sale on March 28 for $1.8 million, with Stuart adding that the furniture itself is worth an estimated $70,000.

"Our ideal buyer is somebody who loves history and wants to see it preserved,” Stuart said. “To help keep the stories of the home alive for future generations, so they can peek into the past of what Hood County was like, who the individuals were that lived in the house, and how they helped shape Hood County.”

He added that every time he visits the home, he sees something new and different that he hadn’t noticed before.

“I think a lot of people pass by this house every day and don't understand the significance of the home and don't really understand how important it is to the history of Hood County,” Stuart said.

The Sheriff’s House is currently listed for sale on Realtor, Zillow, and Trulia.

“This has been a cool project to be a part of,” he added. “If we can sell another historic home like this in our lifetime, that will be a miracle.”