Harlingen in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Howard E. and Mary Butt House

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 24, 2025

1. Howard E. and Mary Butt House Marker

Inscription. In 1929 entrepreneur Howard E. Butt moved the headquarters of his developing grocery business to Harlingen. The following year, Howard and his wife, Mary, bought this house from its builders, John and Ruth Townsend, a few months after its completion. During the 1930s, Howard's business (H.E.B. Grocery) grew to more than 28 stores in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. Known also for their philanthropy and civic work in Harlingen, Howard and Mary Butt lived here until 1940 but owned the house until 1943. Distinguished by its Palladian windows and spiral entry columns, the architectural style of the house is best described as Italian Renaissance.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000

Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12785.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 26° 11.25′ N, 97° 41.305′ W. Marker is in Harlingen, Texas, in Cameron County. It is on East Taylor Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 718 East Taylor Street,

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Harlingen TX 78550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First United Methodist Church of Harlingen (approx. 0.3 miles away); Original Sam Houston School (approx. 0.4 miles away); City of Harlingen (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Harlingen (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lozano Plaza (approx. 0.6 miles away); Planters State Bank (approx. 0.6 miles away); Harlingen City Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Harlingen Cemetery (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harlingen.

Also see . . .
1. Butt, Howard Edward - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

2. Butt, Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth - The Handbook of Texas Online.

Howard E. and Mary Butt House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 24, 2025

2. Howard E. and Mary Butt House

Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

3. H-E-B - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dave W, March 13, 2026

3. Howard E. and Mary Butt House Marker

Photographed by Dave W, March 13, 2026

4. Howard E. and Mary Butt House Marker

Looking east down Taylor St.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 785 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on March 16, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.