Oakhurst Innovations

Oakhurst Innovations. . , Cistern , Two large concrete cisterns in the basement collected rainwater for drinking, while a thousand-gallon cypress tower cistern supplied gravity-fed running water to the sink and toilets throughout the home. A boiler connected the stove in the basement would heat water and create pressure that would send hot water up to the two and half baths. All drain lines led to a waste pipe leading to a shellcrete septic tank buried in the yard. The footprint of the cypress cistern can be viewed on the north side of the house. , Gas Plant , The plant was an underground generator located away from the house. A weight-driven pump in the basement, and gas lines within the floors and walls led to the house's gasoliers (gas chandeliers) and wall sconces. The pump forced air into the generator, which mixed the air with gasoline and then forced it back into the house to the light fixtures. The system operated automatically with regular winding of the weights by domestic staff. Unfortunately, the Gas Plant did not survive. , George Fulton was an engineer and inventor. He worked in railroads, bridge building, and other projects that took him and his family around the country. The Fulton family grew comfortable to modern conveniences in the most technologically advanced cities in America. Therefore, George and his wife Harriet saved no expense in building their new home Oakhurst, with similar features that were not common in South Texas. George also included his own inventions which made their home the most advanced in Fulton, Texas.