The Phillips House

In 1873, James Hoback (J.H.) and Margaret Day Phillips moved from Illinois to Texas by wagon train with their children. J.H. was instrumental in the early social, religious and economic development of Saint Jo. He owned and operated a general store and hotel, and was the town's Baptist preacher. His youngest son, George Washington (G.W.) (1863-1930), grew up in Saint Jo and, at age 20, married Nannie Parker Gooch (1865-1937). During the late 1800s, G.W. bought and sold real estate and owned and operated the local G.W. Phillips Livery Stables. In addition to his business skills, G.W. was also a horse trader, farmer and rancher. On January 6, 1897, G.W. bought 320 acres on the eastern edge of Saint Jo. Three years later, he moved his family to a temporary dwelling on the property. Additional acreage was purchased in 1902 and, in 1911, Barney Lewis was hired to construct the family home. The house took two years to complete and quickly became the center for social activities. When the family was not working, they enjoyed a game of baseball in the open field west of the house. The Phillips House, also known as The Big House, displays characteristics of Colonial Revival and Queen Anne architecture. The two-story wood home has a hipped, wood-shingled roof and large, distinctive upstairs and downstairs porches. Numerous columns, hundreds of spindles and bay windows typify the Queen Anne style. The home boasts twenty-one wood framed single pane windows, heart pine wood floors and some of the original furniture. Generations of the Phillips family have occupied The Big House for over a hundred years and continue to contribute to Saint Jo. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2013

The Phillips House is a historical marker in Saint Jo, Montague County, dedicated in 2013. It is one of 38 historical markers documented in Montague County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 65 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.6890, -97.5172 near Saint Jo. The nearest cataloged historic site is Head of Elm (Saint Jo) (historical marker), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Stonewall Saloon, Saint Jo, and First National Bank of Saint Jo.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507017563. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.