If walls could talk, the Aldridge House would speak volumes. Longtime Plano neighbors know this 104-year-old gem is the oldest example of Prairie Style architecture in the community today, and its story continues.
After a nearly three-year process, the site is finally due to receive designation as a Registered Texas State Landmark from the Texas Historical Commission, which has authenticated the home’s age, significance and architectural requirements to qualify.
Marianne Wells, chairwoman of the Collin County Historical Commission’s marker committee, spearheaded research efforts to compile and submit to the state necessary components of Aldridge’s significance.
Located at 1615 Avenue H in Plano’s Haggard Park Heritage District, the home is owned by Clint Haggard, a descendant of early owners Elizabeth and C.C. Aldridge. While the exact marker wording will be chosen by the Texas Historical Commission, verbiage is being derived from Wells’ meticulously documented research.
Clint Haggard, a recipient of the Collin County Historical Commission’s 2020 Leadership in Preservation Award, is known as guardian of the Aldridge House’s preservation. The Aldridge House initially received local Historic Designation in 1982, which is the first step toward being considered for state-recorded recognition.
The home features architectural details such as Rookwood-style tiles surrounding the fireplace. Its wide, solid wood staircase is distinctive, and the kitchen is original size, but modernized for functionality, all while keeping its original appearance. A quaint curved drive leads to a porte-cochere located on the side of the home, and a spacious porch spanning the front features a wooden porch rail.
Wells’ meticulous documentation supports a theory that the house could have been built with materials from a home previously located on the site — known as the Weaver house — with materials from that previous structure: cut nails, hand-cut wall timbers and some Victorian doors and windows.
Her research describes the structure as “a good example of hipped roof, symmetrical, with front entry” subtype that is sometimes called “Prairie Box” or “American Foursquare.”
While C.C. Aldridge was a farmer, he and his wife were noted contributors to North Texas and Plano’s development in many areas, including cotton, cotton seed, banking, public education, churches, local politics and civic engagements, and today many city spots are named after them.
The date for installation of the historical marker is still being determined, but April is being targeted, says neighbor Candace Fountoulakis, a contributing researcher. The public will be invited to attend the installation ceremony. Check our website for details about the upcoming event.
