[Historic Marker Application: Wood-Hughes House] Page: 9 of 26
[12] p. : ill. ; 28 cm. + 4 photographsView a full description of this text.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
(Additional) WOOD- HUGHES HOME
The ground floor (cellar) was built of solid brick, cemented-over on
outside, & cemented (or plastered) over, inside. Plaster is well-mixed
with cow hair-togive tenacity. Henry W. Hughes II (my brother) gives this
description of construction of walls on the top three stories-above cellar.
"Outside walls are very thick Louisiana cypress blocks, cut with bevel-
led edges to simulate stone blocks. (The original home was painted a light-
grey stone color.) Next layer,inside cypress blocks is some kind of uniden-
tified insulation sheet - not paper- yet of heavy paper-weight. Third layer
is a solid wall of cedar shiplap siding. Fourth layer is of 2" x 10" pine
studs. Fifth & last layer is the 12" thick plastering on the studs that k
gave the smooth, finished walls on the interior.
Now - the barn and carriage house is built of solid, thick walls of
brick, with the same large cast-iron bolts fairly near the roof line - just
as the Public High School building was done. Bolts go entirely thru the
brick walls and are anchored to the heavy timbered uprights within.
Please note exact repeat of construction of these two buildings, to
that used in "First Public High School in Brenham"....in 1969 Historical
Marker.....where builder-architect was KNOWN to be"Mr. Russi0..in 1883.
In checking the old 1896 City Directory of Brenham, I found:
"M. Russi, contractor & architect, 408 N. Market Street, Brenham"
" Russi Planing Mill, South Park Street, Brenham."
In checking with a few oldsters, it is recalled that Russi was contractor.
- builder for a"long number of years", and preceeded Alex Griffin-also here
a number of years.
So...I checked Prairie Lea Cemetery grave records and fund, "M. Russi,
born 1850, died 1923."He, his wife and one of his daughters are buried there
The 1883 school building KNOWN to have been built by Russi.
My home of identical type construction, built in 1897, by someone.
The Ross Home (which wants marker too), built @ 1901 , with Russi as the
KNOWN builder, causes me to jump at conclusions, concerning our home.
Another surmise, the W.A. WOOD lumber yard building - inscribed 1886, in
large bold relief, above the massive two-story building of cement-covered
brick, is on South Park, on the north side of RR track, while Russi
Planing Mill is listed on the south side of RR track, same street. A most
convenient set-up between two, along the ONLY transportation line. Just an
idea of course.
For what it is worth, a recent out-of-state tourist architect stopped at
our home. Said he was fascinated with the rounded brick used on the chimneys
and also used completely around the street, out-side curbing. Said that
"Brick was a study-hobby of his." Wanted to know where the brick had come
from. His work involves extensive travelling, and study of ola homes
' He told Mr. Rich (present owner of the home) that the only other time
he had ever seen rounded brick, was at Thomas Jefferson's MONTICELLO.
We know & recognize standard size brick. Common brick. But when bricks
are cast to specified shapes and sizes and are used for ornamental
purposes, such as window trim, moldings, arches, and chimneys it is called
molded brick.-
Our brick is molded like this :
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This text can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Text.
Texas Historical Commission. [Historic Marker Application: Wood-Hughes House], text, November 2, 1973; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth477944/m1/9/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.