The Oaks. 202 Prairie Street Historic Montgomery, Texas FOR SALE By Owners, Mary Sue and Don Timmerman (936)

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1 202 Prairie Street Historic Montgomery, Texas FOR SALE By Owners, Mary Sue and Don Timmerman (936) $675, Main House: 3700 Sq. Ft. (Living) Carriage House: 1300 Sq. Ft. (Living ) Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 2- full, 2- ½ Bathroom : 1 Covered Porches: 1100 Sq. Ft. Kitchen: 1 Workshop: 3150 Sq. Ft. Covered Porches: 1025 Sq. Ft. Connected Carport: 700 Sq. Ft. Registered Historic Home established 1869 on 3 secluded acres, with connecting carport to Carriage House SEE: General information (narrative) More Pictures Historical Significance About Community:

2 GENERAL INFORMATION This stately 135 year old Greek Revival classic is registered with the Texas Historical Commission as a rare and important architectural survivor. Located on 3 secluded acres surrounded with huge Oaks, Pecan, Cedar, Plum, Pear and Beau d arc trees accented with flowering Crepe Myrtle, Southern Jasmine and Morning Glories. The long, scenic circle drive takes you back in time and to the front entrance of the main house under the two story classic square columned raised portico. Enter the home originally built by Judge Nat Hart Davis for his family and unfold early Texas and local Montgomery history painstakingly restored over five years to its original charm and basic elegance. The two story classic entrance hall ( dog run ) opens to the Living Room (Library) and Dining Room, then through french doors to the new architecturally compatible addition including large country kitchen with half bath and huge living area. Go through French Doors again to the His and Her Master Suite all connected with wide wrap around covered galleries (Porches). The original entrance staircase rises to upstairs hall with covered balcony. Two 20 X 20 bedrooms with private connected bathrooms (with original claw foot bathtub) and modern shower.

3 The original house underwent a complete five year restoration (completed in 2001) leaving all original long leaf Heart Pine planking, panel doors, 6 over 6 windows, flooring, moldings and hardware. New Chimneys vent 4-woodburning fireplaces with gas starters, all new electrical, plumbing and insulation were installed. Three zoned central gas heating and air conditioning (12 SEER) units were installed with all hidden ducting. New cedar lap siding milled to match original and standing seam steel roof assure permanent restoration. The Carriage House, attached through a covered Carport, is a Texas Pole barn style recreated in insulated steel construction. It has finished concrete floor throughout and concrete or asphalt aprons all around. Inside is a 1300 square foot living area including a bedroom, double office and kitchen, dining area and full bath. This is connected to the 3150 square foot workshop area with 2 oversize overhead doors two passage doors all insulated and skylighted.

4 SOME RESTORATION DETAILS The original house was finished in In its 129 years it had received only necessary repairs and modernization's. The mission was to restore the Texas Registered Historical Home to its original form and to add to the rear an authentic modern addition of additional living area and of covered porches. The restoration project was begun in 1996 by the current owners and completed in The following description describes part of what was done to assure as permanent a restoration as possible. The House was lifted and a full 24" deep perimeter beam with two intermediate beams and chimney footings all with reinforced rebar and stirrups were formed and done in one continuous concrete pour. Perimeter sills as well as intermediate shaker sills were replaced and joists were sistered where necessary. The house was leveled and squared and reset on blocks 18" above grade (slab). All siding was removed allowing removal and replacement of all old plumbing and wiring as well as allowing inspection of all structural members. Any deteriorated members were replaced. Insulation and vapor barrier were installed. Six inch lap Cedar siding replaced all original pine to match original and provide permanent replacement. The elevated slab for the addition was poured and tied to the old house rear perimeter step footing. The front porch slab was poured in the same manner. The rear addition, front porch and 2 chimneys were framed with front porch and rear addition roof gables tying to and through the old house. The entire structure was then roofed with permanent steel standing seam roofing. The entire structure was fiberglass batt insulated with Tyvec vapor barrier. The old house was sided with Cedar 6" (as original) lap siding and the addition with 6 Hardy plank lap siding. Four Vented insert Heatilator fireplaces were installed with stacks and firebreaks and in chimneys of matching vintage brick. Two separate central zoned HVAC units were installed in the old house. All windows had casings rebuilt and squared. All sashes and muntins of the original windows were restored to original. New shutters were installed. The restoration and new addition were all done in accordance with the National Building Code and in accordance with City building ordinances along with compliance with the Texas Historical Commission guidelines.

5 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Registered with the State of Texas as a Texas Historical landmark, the home was built in 1869 by Nathaniel Hart Davis. He was the first Mayor of the city of Montgomery, and the first Montgomery County Judge. It is built on 3 private acres just off the original City Square that once housed the original Montgomery County Courthouse. The House is one of several Historical Homes within the core of the City but The Oaks is unique in its location and significance. The provenance of Judge Davis and this home is extensively documented by the owner and by The Montgomery Historical Society at the Nat Hart Davis Museum and Law Office in Downtown Montgomery. Judge Davis was a prolific writer and some of his diaries and journals are displayed on his original desk in The Oaks, some describing the house and it s contents.