This structure was built principally of lumber salvaged from ruins of the original family home of Morgan Steamship Captain Henry Sheppard in Indianola. After a hurricane destroyed Indianola in August 1886, the late Captain's son-in-law, Francis Walter Bates shipped the salvaged materials to Cuero by rail and reconstructed the house on this site.

A 6-bay 2-story wrap around porch with a shed roof dominates the south and east elevations. The porch is supported by chamfered wood posts decorated with molded caps, jigsawn brackets, and balustrade.

The house had many modern innovations such as its own water and heating systems. The Frobeses had ten children and the house was built to accommodate them. The parlor furniture is original to the house and is listed in the deed as part of the house so that if and when the house is sold, the furniture goes with it.

In Indianola, the house was built of Florida timber and was screwed to seven-foot poles set in the ground. With 100 refugees upstairs, downstairs windows and doors open, the house withstood its second hurricane in 1886, and the refugees were saved. After the hurricane, the house was dismantled, its planks numbered, moved to Cuero, and rebuilt in 1887. After the house was rebuilt, a wing was added which faces Prairie Street. Behind the heavy wooden hurricane doors, the front door has French plate glass. The oak staircase is hand carved, and the parlor and the living room still have the original wallpaper. There are parquet floors in the home.

The house boasted a bathroom with the first enameled tub in Cuero, installed for $100. The little cottage to the west of the main house is called the radio house. The Mugge family owned the first wireless radio in Cuero. because it was such a new invention, the family felt it would be safer to keep it in a separate building rather than the main house.

Mr. John Wofford was a Confederate veteran, merchant, farmer, rancher, and son of the first Chief Justice of DeWitt County.

In 1907, the house was remodeled and a second floor added with the design of Victoria based architect Jules Leffland. Walter Breeden's only son, Paul Hamilton Breeden (1886-1967), who was born in this house, was a partner in his father's business, as well as a banker and civic leader. He married Henrietta Bess Philpott (1889-1976). Their family became the third generation to occupy the home. In 1995, the current owners purchased the house and began their restoration of the home to its original charm and grace. It was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1997.

This colonial revival house was built about 1880 for the family of David H. Heaton, who operated the Heaton Brothers Drug Store in Cuero. In 1924, prominent civic leader and businessman Charles G. Breeden purchased it, and it was remodeled by San Antonio architect Beverly Spillman to its current appearance.

The two and one-half story house with center passage features classical detailing, including a two story porch with colossal box columns, lunette dormers, and a porte cochere. The house remains in the family and is owned and occupied by a daughter of Charles G. Breeden. It was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1989.

This home also has an Indianola connection. In 1854, Edward Mugge arrived in the seaport of Indianola from his native Germany and moved to Cuero after the hurricanes mostly destroyed Indianola.

The Edward Mugge house was built in the 1870's. Mr. Mugge had risen to partnership in the pioneer banking firm of H. Runge and Company. The house was originally built with seven rooms.

Three of these rooms were milled in St. Louis and assembled here in Cuero. Over the ensuing years, Mr. Mugge made additions as surprise gifts to his wife, Pauline, and six children.

The house grew to fifteen rooms, five halls, and three porches. On the grounds were a summerhouse, greenhouse, bathhouse, wash house, smokehouse, huge cistern (still in existence) and stables.

The house still has an iron fence on two sides of the house. The Mugge House illustrates the history of its builder and the period. The current owners have made period restorations over the last several years. It was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1971.

This colonial revival style house was the residence of Alexander Hamilton, Sr. who was a native of Kentucky and came to this area in 1850 at the age of four. As a Civil War veteran and businessman, he moved to Cuero in 1873 where he founded the First National bank in 1881 and the Cuero Cotton Oil & Mfg. Company in 1890.

#13 Alexander Hamilton, Sr. Home
902 N. Esplanade

Hamilton was also a rancher with extensive land holdings in the area. Married in 1876, he saved gold coins from his cash box and built the elegant home for his young wife Annie E. Thorton and their sons. The house was recorded a Texas Historic Landmark in 1976.

This beautiful Victorian house is an outstanding example of unaltered Queen Anne architecture. It was designed in 1902 by regionally renowned architect Jules Leffland for Frank Sames. Mr. Sames operated a wholesale grocery business with C.B. Moore.

In 1929, Dr. Gilbert Burns, a prominent physician bought the property and lived there many years. The current owners continue to preserve this home with the charm and grace of its period.

This home was built in 1895 by J.L. Sheppard, a prominent rancher and business man, and is a fine example of Victorian architecture. Designed by Austrian-born J.V. Slonecki, who briefly resided in Cuero during the late 19th century, is an excellent example of an L-plan dwelling with Eastlake detailing which is rarely seen among Cuero's existing historic properties.

#15 Sheppard House
916 North Hunt

Among its interesting features is the round window with the inset rectangular window and art glass dominating the bay in the front view of the house.

The current owners, descendents of the Sheppard family, have continued to maintain and preserve this home with the ambience of the period.

This unusual and interesting house, known as the "castle house" at Broadway and McLeod, was built by Dr. John Burns in 1898. It is an excellent example of unusual architectural features and has stained glass windows in the stairwell.

We hope you have enjoyed your journey seeing some of Cuero's treasures. We welcome you to come visit. It is the way life ought to be. And there is much more to see.