OLNEY DAVIS HOUSE
Historical Markers of Collin County,
Texas, 1997
Plano Historical Designation
This two-story Victorian style home was
built in 1890. Olney Davis was a prominent businessman, civic leader, and Mayor
of Plano. In 1899 he became the first president of the Board of Trustees for the
Plano School System. The elaborate front porch columns were added in a later
addition. The building was converted to office use in the mid-1980s.
OLNEY DAVIS HOUSE
Biography
The Olney Davis home, known locally as the House on the
Hill, stands proud and tall, looking down upon the thousands of acres of new
brick homes that make up Plano today. This lovely old home that has been
occupied for 92 years by the Davis family points up a way of life that has given
way to progress, recalling to passersby a time of gracious living, a perfect
setting for the lovely wedding long ago when a daughter descended the stairway
to become bride of a grandson of Sam Houston.
Its gingerbread trim and cupola is in sharp contrast to the modern architecture
of the newer part of town.
DAVIS HOME KNOWN AS THE HOUSE ON THE
HILL
Plano Star
Courier, February 26, 1969, by Marquerite Haggard
The Olney Davis home at 901 18th Street is one of the
first of houses of the ‘90 period when builders favored frills along with
comfort. It was built in 1890.
Miss Maud Davis, who lives in the family home, says it had had a high cupola,
much gingerbread trimming, an encircling verandra and a white picket fence. It
was the first residence built in northwest Plano and was known as “The House on
the Hill,” being located on the highest point in town.
Mrs. Edna Davis Houston who also lives in the Davis family home says a Mr.
Florence was its builder and that her father saw to it that the house’s
foundations were deep and strong. Not a single door of the house has ever sagged
or stuck.
Miss Maud says her father remodeled their home twice ad made additions through
the years for conveniences. One remodeling took the cupola away and replaced the
narrow veranda with present wide porches and stately columns.
Mrs. Houston regrets some of the changes made, particularly that the three
marble mantle pieces were replaced with oak. The stairway is the original one,
but it has been moved farther back into the hall. Mrs. Houston came down the
stairs as a bride when she married Harry Houston, who was a grandson of Sam
Houston. The couple lived in Dallas, but after his death, Mrs. Houston returned
to Plano.
The Davis sisters relate that their father came from Waxahachie, Texas, in 1880
and located a few miles west of Plano to begin farming. He married Susan Effie
Mathews, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Mathews, of the Bethany community. They
came to Plano to build their permanent home and their children who grew to
adulthood are a son, Robt. A., now deceased, and five daughters, Mrs. Edna
Houston, Miss Maud Davis and Mmes. Pauline Thompson, Vera Harris and Helen
Beckham.
The personages of Mr. and Mrs. Davis still pervade the Davis home as do their
contributions to the community of Plano. For more than forty years Mr. Davis
devoted himself to the commercial, civic, educational and agricultural
development of Plano and region.
The gray house at 18th Street and H Avenue stands or something that gives one a
feeling of pride.
Surname Index
Recommended Citation:
"Olney Davis,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
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