Corsicana in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Judge E.J. Simkins House

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2025

1. The Judge E.J. Simkins House Marker

Inscription. Eldred James Simkins (1838-1902), then of South Carolina, served 4 years in the Confederate Army. A brother, William S. Simkins, was credited with firing the first shot of the Civil War, at Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861. E.J. Simkins moved here in 1871, established a law practice, and built the first rooms of this home in 1873. He was a regent of the University of Texas, 1881-93; served as a State Senator, 1887-92; and as a justice on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1893-95. Simkins helped draft the law creating the Texas Railroad Commission and wrote a noted volume on jurisprudence.

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11635.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1861.

Location. 32° 5.696′ N, 96° 28.27′ W. Marker is in Corsicana, Texas, in Navarro County. It is at the intersection of West 2nd Avenue and N 15th Street, on the right when traveling west on West 2nd Avenue. The marker is located at the front entrance of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 514 W 2nd Ave, Corsicana TX 75110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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: Senator James H. Woods Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Corsicana in 1860-1872 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sergeant Candelario "Spider" Garcia, Jr.

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(about 700 feet away); Navarro County War Memorial (about 700 feet away); First Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); The Call To Arms (about 800 feet away); Thomas Ingles Smith (about 800 feet away); Westminster Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corsicana.

Also see . . . Eldred James Simkins: Life and Legacy of a Confederate Attorney. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Eldred James Simkins, attorney, son of Eldred J. and Pattie Simkins, was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on October 13, 1839. He graduated from South Carolina College in 1859 and at the beginning of the Civil War volunteered for Hampton's Legion. He was appointed to the First Confederate Artillery Regiment in 1862. On December 27, 1864, he married Eliza Trescott of Beaufort, South Carolina. They moved to Monticello, Florida, where Simkins was admitted to the bar in 1866.

(Submitted on August 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The entrance to the Judge E.J. Simkins House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2025

2. The entrance to the Judge E.J. Simkins House and Marker

The Judge E.J. Simkins House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2025

3. The Judge E.J. Simkins House

The view of the Judge E.J. Simkins House from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2025

4. The view of the Judge E.J. Simkins House from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.