Rockdale in Milam County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Coffield House
Photographed By James Hulse, November 12, 2022
1. Coffield House Marker
Inscription.
Coffield House. . Beginning in the late 1920s, the use of petrified wood in construction became popular in Texas and throughout the American Southwest. This was due in part to the design of National Park Service Buildings in the West which utilized natural materials and a style which came to be known as "NPS Rustic." Residences built or clad with petrified wood were sometimes called "stone tree houses." Rockdale businessman H.H. Coffield had a home and grounds facing State Highway 43 (later U.S. Highway 79) clad with petrified wood in the 1930s for use as a rental property. The main house was designed with a cross-gable floor plan with a petrified wood exterior along walls and modified buttresses, brick trim around the entry and around rectangular and circular window openings, and decorative bargeboard along the projecting gables. Additional historic buildings and structures include a decorative well and a detached two-car garage. The property previously featured a low stone fence facing the road. The architect for the property is unknown., In 1995, the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce acquired the property for use as their offices. Founded in 1952, the Chamber of Commerce was a successor of the Young Men's Business League. The Chamber of Commerce continued a legacy of improving Rockdale's economic development by promoting historical tourism and preservation and working jointly with businesses in Rockdale. Besides this historic homestead, petrified wood buildings and structures can be found in Rockdale's Fair Park and throughout Milam County. They are part of the heritage and distinctive cultural landscape of the area.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2018
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Beginning in the late 1920s, the use of petrified wood in construction became popular in Texas and throughout the American Southwest. This was due in part to the design of National Park Service Buildings in the West which utilized natural materials and a style which came to be known as "NPS Rustic." Residences built or clad with petrified wood were sometimes called "stone tree houses." Rockdale businessman H.H. Coffield had a home and grounds facing State Highway 43 (later U.S. Highway 79) clad with petrified wood in the 1930s for use as a rental property. The main house was designed with a cross-gable floor plan with a petrified wood exterior along walls and modified buttresses, brick trim around the entry and around rectangular and circular window openings, and decorative bargeboard along the projecting gables. Additional historic buildings and structures include a decorative well and a detached two-car garage. The property previously featured a low stone fence facing the road. The architect for the property is unknown.
In 1995, the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce acquired the property for use as their offices. Founded in 1952, the Chamber of Commerce was a successor of the Young Men's Business League. The Chamber of Commerce continued a legacy of improving Rockdale's economic development by promoting historical tourism and
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preservation and working jointly with businesses in Rockdale. Besides this historic homestead, petrified wood buildings and structures can be found in Rockdale's Fair Park and throughout Milam County. They are part of the heritage and distinctive cultural landscape of the area.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2018
Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20070.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.
Location. 30° 38.947′ N, 97° 0.898′ W. Marker is in Rockdale, Texas, in Milam County. Marker is on West Cameron Avenue (U.S. 79) 0.1 miles east of Childress Drive, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located next to the parking lot to the Chamber of Commerce. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1203 W Cameron Ave, Rockdale TX 76567, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.