Bay City in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Hensley - Gusman House
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
1. Hensley - Gusman House Marker
Alexander D. Hensley (1859-1947) purchased land at this site in January 1898. With his wife Maggie (1875-1960), he asked his brother, architect Henry Hensley, to design this house to catch breezes from any direction.
Built in 1905 by the Alamo Lumber Company, the house is a fine local example of a Victorian-era residence, with stylistic influences of the Queen Anne period. It features a distinctive octagonal plan, with porches providing additional spaces to complete the octagon. Because of its unusual floor plan, the house's central living room contains eight doors but no windows; four of the doors open onto the corner porches. Prominent features include a cross-gable roof with wood shingled gable ends, and decorative wood brackets at cutaway corners above corner windows. The original wooden porch floors were replaced with concrete in the 1930s, but the decorative wood columns and doors remain.
Retail salesman James Robert Gusman (1862-1944), his wife Bettie Amanda Harrington (1864-1948) and their children moved to Bay City from Weimar in 1911. They bought the house from the Hensley's in 1919, and it remained in their
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Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2455.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 28° 58.915′ N, 95° 57.857′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Texas, in Matagorda County. It is at the intersection of 6th Street and Avenue K, on the right when traveling east on 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2120 6th St, Bay City TX 77414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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, 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: Bandstand (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Bandstand" The Gazebo (about 500
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
2. Hensley - Gusman House Marker
Also see . . . National Register nomination record.
Built in 1905, the Hensley-Gusman House is a rare intact example of a cross plan dwelling with Queen Anne influences and an octagonal floor plan. Located on lot 7 and a portion of lot 8 in block 146 of the original town plat of Bay City, the house was designed by architect Henry Hensley for Maggie and Alexander D. Hensley using materials purchased from the Alamo Lumber Company of Bay City.(Submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
3. Hensley - Gusman House Marker
Front of the house with marker just visible on the right under the tree overhanging at the sidewalk.
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
4. Hensley - Gusman House Marker
National Register plaque to the right of the front door.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 67 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
