Athens in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Faulk-Gauntt Building
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 20, 2021
1. Faulk-Gauntt Building Marker
An earlier building at this location housed the law offices of Senator J. J. Faulk and Judge W. L. Faulk. In the early 1890s the site was purchased by J. R. Gauntt, a local businessman. The son of pioneer area settlers, he operated a mercantile store, the Chany Tree, with his brother R. L. Gauntt, and later ran a monument business. In 1896 he commissioned the Hawn Lumber Company to build this two-story brick commercial structure near the rail lines, a primary business location in the early days of Athens.The upstairs area was first occupied by attorneys W. L. and J. J. Faulk. A native of Alabama, William Levin Faulk served as Henderson County judge, district clerk, and director of the Guaranty State Bank of Athens. His cousin James J. Faulk, born in Louisiana, served as county attorney, state representative, district attorney, state senator, special justice of the Texas Court of Civil Appeals, and the first mayor of the City of Athens.
The downstairs area first housed the grocery store of Tom Barber. Other tenants in the Faulk-Gauntt Building have included dentists Dr. Dudley Payne and Dr. Thomas Matthews. The structure
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Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10352.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 32° 12.362′ N, 95° 51.311′ W. Marker is in Athens, Texas, in Henderson County. Marker is on North Prairieville Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 North Prairieville Street, Athens TX 75751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First National Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Courts Under the Oaks (about 400 feet away); Henderson County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Jess Sweeten (about 600 feet away); 1925 Henderson County Jail (about 600 feet away); Site of Hawn Lumber Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Athens Review (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Athens (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 20, 2021
2. Faulk-Gauntt Building
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
