May Yard of the Month

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  • May Yard of the Month
    May Yard of the Month
  • May Yard of the Month
    May Yard of the Month
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The first Yard of the Month for 2020 is awarded to past recipients. The homeowners, Richard and Sara Huron at 204 Pecan Street, are recognized for their continuous dedication to preserving this historical house and expansive yard. It is not clear to this reporter when the house was originally built. It is said that there are photographic records of the dwelling prior to the building of the Methodist Church across the street. According to the SAN SABA COUNTY HISTORY 1856-1983, First Methodist Church (pg. 475):

In 1882, a frame building was built and served until the present native marble structure was built (1913-1921).

Therefore, the American Farmhouse styled two-story structure may have been built sometime around the turn of the century. The Hurons purchased the home from Mr. Lackey approximately 20 years ago.

Inside the front gate leading to the porch is an inscription “O.D. Kirkpatrick 7-6-28” etched into the concrete. Upon further investigation, O.D. Kirkpatrick came to San Saba in early 1880, “his name was listed among the leaders in many of the most important improvements for the city and county of San Saba. He died in 1932.” (SS COUNTY HISTORY pg. 170). Shortly after his death, the home was leased to Carl and Myrtle (House) Bryant. SAN SABA COUNTY HISTORY 1856-2001 Volume II, The Carl Bryant Family (pg. 23)

“Granddaughters, Paula and Marilynn, were born at the home of their grandparents. Grandmother Bryant assisted Dr. F.W. Farley at Paula’s birth and Dr. R. C. Felts at Marilynn’s birth. Carl and Myrtle Bryant were living in the O. D. Kirkpatrick House, 204 Pecan St. San Saba, located behind the Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Rogan Field, when the girls were born.”

Marilynn (Timberlake) Johansen, one of the two born in the house, recalls an amusing story about her cousin Emily Paula Bryant Barrier, born December 11, 1937, in the bedroom behind the living room with the fireplace. During her aunt’s labor, “the doctor ran back and forth to Rogan Field to watch the Armadillo’s football game. He eventually had all the men folk running back and forth with him.” Marilynn was born in the front bedroom (which she claims was warmer) in 1939. She noted that throughout her 81 years, the house has been continually maintained and stayed true the original Farmhouse design.

Richard and Sara are proudly renovating the home. Richard has found square nails used in the original construction. He has reproduced some of the missing “gingerbread” on several gables and has replaced missing siding eaten away by nesting squirrels and birds. The front and rear porches have been restored with plans to rebuild the side porch and add a deck in the back. Sara has selected paint colors to emphasize the historic nature of the house both inside and out. There is an old cistern that still holds water but is not reliable; rainwater catchment tubs have been strategically placed around the dwelling to assist in watering.

The property where the home is located has 11 enormous pecan trees, as well as Crepe Myrtles in a variety of colors, and an old Red Bud tree that has been there for years. Several of the trees are planted with beds of Day Lilies, white Daffodils, and green, red, and variegated leafed Cannas with flowers in deep yellow and red. Also, in the yard are red Peony, Texas Sage, Sago Palms in large pots, Rose of Sharon, Foxtail Ferns, blooming Sedum, old fashioned Crinum Lilies, Nandina, Ferns, and Turks Cap. Flowing Ivey trails down a planter stand with Succulents lined on a baker’s rack painted in a bright turquoise. The beds at the foot of the trees along with additional beds in the backyard are edged with large rocks once used as piers for the foundation under the house. Richard has since replaced the numerous rock piers with manufactured concrete blocks.

The beds lining the hurricane fence along the sidewalk leading to the welcoming entry gate are filled with perennial Purple Phlox, Knock Out Roses of red and pink, and bearded Iris in single, multicolored, ruffled, and standard flower types. Many of the flowers were cuttings, bulbs, or seeds shared by neighbors. Sara said they gladly accepted the propagations as they were already “proven” as desirable in local gardens. Almost all the beds are bejeweled with some type of metal art or found object. The most prominent of course are the two stately pink Flamingos. A few faux cacti may be found nestled in beds with beautiful Irises as their neighbors. You will also discover pink bicycles, tiny tricycles, old saws and sickles, bird houses and bird cages, metal and wrought iron decorative fencing, frilly metal stands and baskets, trellises and obelisks, metal butterflies, wash bins, old wooden ladders and wagons, urns, wrought iron headboards, and gates, all of which enhance and enchant the garden. There is even an old headstone (“Bob”, the only readable notation) imbedded in the yard as a border to a longabandoned flower bed. Both Richard and Sara are always on the hunt (locally as well as Laredo, Georgetown, and points in between) at yard sales, flea markets, antique stores, ‘junque’ stores and trading posts for special art pieces to garnish the garden. Richard put up cemetery fencing by the driveway where he has a Texas flag painted on the gate. Richard is quite the painter; he is the artist of both the American and Texas flags that hang on the fence, as well as the house painting.

The porch too is fringed in the perennial Phlox started as a cutting from a former neighbor. The accessories on the porch beckon visitors to sit with a cold glass of lemonade, to rest on the glider beneath the carriage lights under the low hanging ferns. There are several garden vignettes on the porch, under the windows, and throughout the property where one might sit to rest on a swing under a tree (or a bench encircled by garden beds) to take it all in as there are too many to record.

When asked what their favorite thing was in the yard, they both agreed that it is the spacious property along with the cooling shade from the large trees. They both enjoy sitting to watch as the traffic passes, enjoying the scent of blooming flowers and relaxing with a cold beverage. That is, when, they are not busy tending to one thing or another.

It was a treat to visit with these homeowners as we meandered through their garden to admire and appreciate their labor of love. The yard of the month committee hopes you too enjoy, as you stroll past this lovely historic location. Remember to keep your hands in your gloves and your gloves in the dirt!