Van Alstyne in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Umphress-Taylor Home

Photographed by Joe Lotz, February 26, 2026

1. Umphress-Taylor Home Marker

Inscription. Pioneer area landowner, banker, agriculturalist, and community leader James C. Umphress (1841-1917), a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, built this Victorian house for his wife Julia Caroline (Veazey) (d.1932) in 1903. In 1932 it was inherited by a daughter, Maude (Umphress) Taylor (d.1977), who lived here until 1974. A civic leader, she was the wife of local banker and grain dealer Spencer Taylor (d.1943). The family home features influences of Queen Anne and classical revival styling. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11546.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 33° 24.954′ N, 96° 34.43′ W. Marker is in Van Alstyne, Texas, in Grayson County. It is at the intersection of Paris Street and S Preston Ave, on the right when traveling east on Paris Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 161 Paris St, Van Alstyne TX 75495, 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,

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: Van Alstyne Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Christian Church of Van Alstyne (approx. 0.3 miles away); Collin McKinney (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Legion Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Interurban Rail

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Van Alstyne (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Alstyne.

Umphress-Taylor Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joe Lotz, February 26, 2026

2. Umphress-Taylor Home

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.