Sulphur Springs in Hopkins County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ashcroft House

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 12, 2025

1. Ashcroft House Marker

Inscription. Charles Franklin (1880-1946) and Ruth (Lynch) Ashcroft (1895-1979) were civic and social leaders in Sulphur Springs. Charles’ father, B.F. Ashcroft, started the city’s first electric company, later sold by his estate to Texas Power & Light. Charles was also director and vice-president of the Sulphur Springs State Bank, co-owner (with H.C. McGrede) of the local Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and president of the school board. The couple had one son. In 1938, they commissioned prominent Tyler architect Shirley Simons, Sr. to design a home on College Street three blocks east of the square. Simons (1897-1963) designed many significant residences and commercial and public buildings in Tyler, Lufkin and other Texas cities. The College Street parcel was previously the site of the house of druggist Ben W. Smith, built before the Civil War and described as the oldest house in the city when it was razed in the 1930s. Lumber and brick were salvaged to build several houses in Sulphur Springs.

A surviving letter from Charles to his sister, Ina, pinpoints the completion of the house, as it records the family moving in on Dec. 23, 1939.

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Prominent features of the two-story Colonial Revival style house include its full-width front portico supported by six ionic columns, white painted brick veneer, balcony over the front double doors, and east and west extensions with corner quoins. First floor windows have intricate cornices, while those on the extensions are topped by sunburst pediments. The slate roof is pierced by brick chimneys and a central cupola with weathervane. The only modifications have been the enclosure of a sun porch and an additional room added in the 1960s. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2017

Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18771.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1939.

Location. 33° 8.27′ N, 95° 35.7′ W. Marker is in Sulphur Springs, Texas, in Hopkins County. It is at the intersection of College Street and Patton Ave, on the right when traveling west on College Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 College St, Sulphur Springs TX 75482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 12, 2025

2. Ashcroft House Marker

this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Sulphur Springs (approx. ¼ mile away); George and Myra Wilson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Home County of Texas Confederate General W. H. King / Texas in the Civil War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hopkins County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs (approx. 0.4 miles away); City National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hopkins County Echo-Daily News-Telegram (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sulphur Springs.

Ashcroft House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 12, 2025

3. Ashcroft House

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.