The 103-year-old Saigling House in downtown Plano has been added to the National Register of Historic Homes and is now a recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Collin County Historical Commission Chair Paula Ross emceed a celebration at the house last Saturday which included remarks by Marianne Wells of the Historical Society and Harold Sickler, chare of Plano’s heritage commission. Members of the City Council and the ArtCentre of Plano Board were on hand for the occasion.
Also in attendance were descendants of Saigling family. The family has played a prominent role in Plano’s business and residential history and have been long-time members of First Christian Church of Plano.
“My entire extended family is very proud of our Plano heritage,” Rick Saigling, the great-grandson of original homeowner Celestine Saigling, said. “This National Register of Historic Places honor only adds to our pride in our roots here in Plano.”
C.C. Saigling was one of Plano’s early leaders. He moved to the city in 1881 and established a lumber company, a planing mill and a milling company. He was also on the Plano City Council and the first Plano School Board. C.C. Saigling is credited with building the city’s first sidewalk near what is today K Avenue and 15th Street. He died in 1906. Saigling Elementary School is named in honor of him.
His widow, Celestine Saigling, build the home in 1918. It was one of the first brick veneer homes in Plano and one of the first with a basement. After her death, the home was sold several times. In 2017, the home was completely remodeled. Today it serves as an event space and the home of ArtCentre of Plano.
“My generation was never at that house when Celestine lived there, but it has always been a landmark that helps anchor downtown Plano,” Rick Saigling said. “I am so glad the City of Plano made the decision to save the home and restore it to its current status.”
Although I do support the preservation and restoration of a structure such as this, it is in my opinion that at least one room should be allowed to show how the passage of time has affected it as many people today fail to understand just how long ago 103 years is, and I believe that allowing a room to show the effect of time may help those who see it understand.