Steamboat House, Historic house in Huntsville, United States
Steamboat House is a white clapboard house with a dark shingled roof and two brick chimneys. Its most prominent feature is a tall, square, tower-like wing on the left, clad in horizontal siding, rising above the roof and topped with crenellations. To the right extends a two-story veranda with white railings and square posts on both levels; the tower has a projecting one-story entrance porch with a wooden staircase leading to a landing.
Physician Rufus Bailey commissioned the building in 1858 as a wedding gift for his son, who rejected it due to its unconventional design. The structure changed locations multiple times before settling in its present position.
The residence served as the final home of Sam Houston, a leading Texas politician, and visitors can sense the historical weight of the place through its rooms and furnishings. The connection to his life story makes the house a focal point for understanding the state's past.
The house is located within the Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex, allowing visitors to combine their visit with other attractions at the site. Plan to spend time exploring both the interior spaces and the exterior architectural details.
The house was moved to the grounds of Sam Houston State University in 1936, after businessman J. E. Josey bought it in 1933 and deeded it to the Texas Historical Commission. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964.
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