Whitaker-McClendon House

The Whitaker-McClendon House is a two-story building constructed from cypress and pine wood, featuring neoclassical design elements and formal room arrangements typical of the era. The interior includes an entrance foyer, living room, dining room, and multiple bedrooms organized in the manner of an upper-class residence from that period.

The house was built between 1878 and 1880 on land that once belonged to James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas. It emerged during a period of economic growth in Tyler and became a notable example of late Victorian residential architecture in the state.

The residence served as a hub for Tyler's high society, with the Whitaker family regularly hosting elaborate dinners and social gatherings in the Victorian manner. The spaces reflect how a prosperous family of that era lived and entertained.

The house is open for visits on specific days with set hours, and it accommodates group reservations when arranged ahead of time. It helps to check opening times beforehand and give advance notice if you are planning to visit as a group.

Sarah McClendon, born in this house in 1910, went on to become a White House correspondent who covered twelve presidential administrations from Roosevelt through Bush. Her notable career connected the house to decades of American political journalism at the highest level.

Location: Tyler

Location: Tyler County

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Address: 806 W. Houston at Vine St.

Website: http://mcclendonhouse.net

GPS coordinates: 32.34320,-95.30912

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46