The original two rooms of this Greek Revival home are believed to have been built before 1852 by one of Jefferson’s founders, Allen Urquhart (1792-1866). He used the rooms as office and living space as he planned the Urquhart addition of Jefferson.

After Urquhart sold the home, it changed owners several times until it was purchased in 1885 by William Clark (1848-1928), a leading dry goods merchant. Mr. Clark and his wife Fannie lived there for 43 years. The Clarks had no children thus, the ownership of the home passed to Clark’s sister’s children.

When the Civil War split the members of the Presbyterian Church, Clark took the side of the Confederacy, and built another church, generally known as Mr. Clark’s Church. Clark was appointed Postmaster during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson. In 1901, he became Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of Texas and in 1924, he was elected Marion County Judge, the position he held for the remainder of his life.

The building of additional rooms and porch are attributed to Mr. Clark. At the present time, the house has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, wide ‘dogtrot’, and large porches on the front and rear. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout add charm and light to the house.

George and Michele Otstott purchased the Clark House in 2001. At that time, the home was completely renovated. Many features of the home’s original footprint were discovered, including the original roofline and footings for the fireplace in the Urquhart part of the house. The garden was expanded and a butterfly habitat was established.

The wide hall of the home is divided horizontally by an ornate, hand carved arch. It is thought that, at one time, curtains were hung from the arch to provide privacy for the less formal part of the house. Visitors are invited to see the original photograph of the Clark family taken in 1914.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the morning sun to flood into the living room. An antique English ladies desk fills the area provided by a large three-section bay window. The mantle, as well as the one in the front bedroom, was ordered from the Sears catalog and was shipped upriver from New Orleans at the time of the addition in the 1880’s.

Throughout the home, is an eclectic mix of antique and modern furnishings, prints, and memorabilia. The charming home was furnished with the thought of appreciation of its historical past, as well as for comfort for its guests.

The William Clark House, located at 201 W. Henderson, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and was awarded a Texas State Commission Historical Medallion. Both the home and its garden will be open for public viewing.